Impact of Storage on Chlorophyll a Fluorescence Kinetics ofMicroalgae Immobilized on Cotton Fabric

摘要

Microalgae play a key role in self-sustainability of the aquatic ecosystem through nutrient cycling. They can aptly be exploited for various facets of human welfare. A large number of prevailing and newer microalgae from a wide range of habitats needto be maintained and conserved (under space constraint) before they can be explored for apt application. Microalgae, Chlorella and Chlamydomonas, immobilized on cotton fabric for easy storage, conservation and transport retain viability even after storage for 18 months at 4°C in dark. Photosystem (PS) II activity and related Chi a fluorescence kinetics of these immobilized microalgae were suppressed increasingly with duration of storage. In spite of loss in green pigmentation and PS II activity duringstorage, the cells of both Chlorella and Chlamydomonas retained their shape and size, as revealed by SEM investigations. Amazingly, cotton fabrics with immobilized cells that decolorized during storage at 4°C, turned green upon incubation in BG 11 medium, suggesting the viability of these adhered cells. Further, revived microalgae showed PS II activity and polyphasic OJIP Chi a fluorescence transients similar to the microalgal cells prior to storage. In this communication, we are reporting that (i) microalgae have potential to retain viability upon storage for over 18 months at 4°C in dark and (ii) storage decolorized microalgae have potential to regain photosynthetic efficiency when incubated under ideal growth conditions.