Summary: | Terrestrial algae are a group of photosynthetic organisms that can survive in extreme conditions. pH is one of the most important factors influencing the distribution of algae in both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. The impact of different pH levels on the cell volume and other morphological characteristics of authentic and reference strains of <i>Chlorella vulgaris</i>, <i>Bracteacoccus minor</i>, <i>Pseudoccomyxa simplex</i>, <i>Chlorococcum infusionum</i>, and <i>Vischeria magna</i> were studied. <i>Chlorella vulgaris</i>, <i>Pseudoccomyxa simplex,</i> and <i>Vischeria magna</i> were the most resistant species, retaining their morphology in the range of pH 4–11.5 and pH 3.5–11, respectively. The change in pH towards acidic and alkaline levels caused an increase in the volume of <i>Pseudoccomixa simplex</i> and <i>Vischeria magna</i> cells, according to a polynomial regression model. The volume of <i>Chlorella vulgaris</i> cells increased from a low to high pH according to a linear regression model. Changes in pH levels did not have a significant impact on the volume of <i>Bracteacoccus minor</i> and <i>Chlorococcum infusionum</i> cells. Low and high levels of pH caused an increase in oil-containing substances in <i>Vischeria magna</i> and <i>Bracteacoccus minor</i> cells. Our study revealed a high resistance of the studied species to extreme pH levels, which allows for us to recommend these strains for broader use in biotechnology and conservation studies of natural populations.
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