Investigating Chlorolobium braunii on a laboratory scale: a physiological approach to understanding the synergistic effect of copper and LED colors

• Grant number: 21/13817-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: April 01, 2022
• End date: September 30, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Botany - Pant Physiology
• Principal Investigator: Ana Teresa Lombardi
• Grantee: Julia Bolli
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde (CCBS). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 18/07988-5 - Bioprospecting, characterization and optimization of Brazilian microalgal strains for CO2 biofixation and bioproducts of commercial importance, AP.TEM

Abstract

Microalgae are photosynthetic microorganisms with wide biodiversity and physiological plasticity; furthermore, they are important primary producers in aquatic ecosystems. They have an important ecological role, as they contribute to the balance of the food chain in these environments. Moreover, microalgae are protagonists in the biological mitigation of atmospheric carbon (CO2), contributing to the maintenance of climate conditions. Through the physiological and metabolic responses to environmental variations, microalgal biochemical composition can be modified. Thus, its metabolism is an important biotechnological tool to optimize biomass production and enhance the synthesis of high value-added biomolecules, such as lipids, carbohydrates, and proteins, in addition to pigments with known biological activity such as carotenoids. Therefore, species that can be manipulated must maintain their growth, changing the composition of biomolecules. Previous research has established that the Chlorolobium braunii species, in addition to being an understudied biological resource, has adequate characteristics for manipulated cultures and relevant biochemical composition, regarding the synthesis of biomolecules, mainly lipids and proteins. Therefore, this study set out to evaluate the effect of different concentrations of copper (Cu) and LED lights in different colors as tools for microalgae manipulation. Growth and photosynthesis parameters, and synthesis of biomolecules, as well as pigments in C. braunii, will be monitored. Cultures will be carried out in benchtop photobioreactors, with Cu at concentrations of environmental relevance and above (5.7 x 10-9 to 4.0 x 10-6) and different colors of LED light (white, red, blue and green). Thus, this project will contribute to improvements in manipulation techniques, in addition to aspects of phytoplankton ecology, by using Cu at concentrations similar to those observed in natural ecosystems.