Iron induced qualitative enhancement in lipid profile of the cyanobacterium Anabaena sphaerica

摘要

© 2021, Society for Plant Research.The ever-increasing human population of the world and its increased dependency on fossil fuels have not only decreased the limited storage of fossil fuels but also prompted the search for alternative renewable fuel sources in order to fulfil its global demand. Cyanobacteria, due to producing significant amount of lipids, have gained the attention of scientists as promising sources of biofuels. But studies related to optimization of conditions including nutrient availability, for enhancing biofuel property of cyanobacteria are still vacant. Thus, the present study was conducted to evaluate whether the differential availability of a crucial nutrient i.e. iron, exerts any impact on the biofuel properties of cyanobacteria or not. For this, a diazotrophic cyanobacterium Anabaena sphaerica was subjected to different concentrations of iron (–FeCl3, 20, 75, 100 µM FeCl3) and iron induced modulations in fatty acid composition of this organism were thoroughly studied. The results showed that the percentages of fatty acids, fatty alcohols and hydrocarbons varied at –FeCl3, 20, 75, 100 µM FeCl3. Some fatty acids (pentadecanoic acid and docosapentanoic acid) and fatty alcohols (Stearyl alcohol, 2-isopropyl-5-methyl-1-heptanol and elaidolinolenyl alcohol) have been investigated as per the available literatures. A computational analysis (PROMETHEE-GAIA) suggested that the iron deficient condition maximally increased the biofuel property of the test cyanobacterium. Results also suggested that the proficiency of A. sphaerica as a potent biodiesel agent and the synthesis of some commercially and industrially important fatty acids and its derivatives may be biotechnologically and strategically enhanced for future nutritional supplements and biofuels.