The Discovery and Characterization of a Novel Microalgal Strain, <i>Picochlorum</i> sp. KCTC AG61293, with Potential for α-Linolenic Acid Production

Microalgae are highly valued for their rapid biomass production and metabolite synthesis, as well as their abundance of beneficial compounds. They have a variety of applications, including serving as the primary ingredient in biofuels, functional foods, and cosmetics. The genus <i>Picochlorum&...

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Main Authors: Sungmo Kang, Hyeon Ho Shin, Zhun Li
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-01-01
Series:Journal of Marine Science and Engineering
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/12/2/245
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author Sungmo Kang
Hyeon Ho Shin
Zhun Li
author_facet Sungmo Kang
Hyeon Ho Shin
Zhun Li
author_sort Sungmo Kang
collection DOAJ
description Microalgae are highly valued for their rapid biomass production and metabolite synthesis, as well as their abundance of beneficial compounds. They have a variety of applications, including serving as the primary ingredient in biofuels, functional foods, and cosmetics. The genus <i>Picochlorum</i>, which was established to represent the unique characteristics of “<i>Nannochloris</i>-like” algae, exhibits rapid growth and a high salt tolerance. The morphology, molecular phylogeny, and fatty acid composition of an unspecified <i>Picochlorum</i> strain KCTC AG61293 found in Korean coastal waters were investigated. The strain exhibited a unique cell morphology and reproduction type compared to other <i>Picochlorum</i> species, as determined using light microscopy, fluorescence microscopy, and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). The vegetative cells were elongated and cylindrical in shape, underwent binary fission, and possessed a parietal chloroplast. A molecular phylogenetic analysis using nuclear small subunit ribosomal RNA sequences showed that <i>Picochlorum</i> sp. (KCTC AG61293) belongs to the <i>Picochlorum</i> clade and is closely related to the genus <i>Nannochloris</i>. Compared to other reference species, <i>Picochlorum</i> sp. (KCTC AG61293) had higher levels of saturated fatty acids (SFAs) and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). The increased levels of SFAs and ALA suggest that <i>Picochlorum</i> sp. (KCTC AG61293) may be a promising candidate for biofuel production and other industrial uses.
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spelling doaj.art-6ea056657a2442d1b8173a4044868a3c2024-02-23T15:23:05ZengMDPI AGJournal of Marine Science and Engineering2077-13122024-01-0112224510.3390/jmse12020245The Discovery and Characterization of a Novel Microalgal Strain, <i>Picochlorum</i> sp. KCTC AG61293, with Potential for α-Linolenic Acid ProductionSungmo Kang0Hyeon Ho Shin1Zhun Li2Biological Resource Center/Korean Collection for Type Cultures (KCTC), Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Jeongeup 56212, Republic of KoreaLibrary of Marine Samples, Korea Institute of Ocean Science & Technology, Geoje 53201, Republic of KoreaBiological Resource Center/Korean Collection for Type Cultures (KCTC), Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Jeongeup 56212, Republic of KoreaMicroalgae are highly valued for their rapid biomass production and metabolite synthesis, as well as their abundance of beneficial compounds. They have a variety of applications, including serving as the primary ingredient in biofuels, functional foods, and cosmetics. The genus <i>Picochlorum</i>, which was established to represent the unique characteristics of “<i>Nannochloris</i>-like” algae, exhibits rapid growth and a high salt tolerance. The morphology, molecular phylogeny, and fatty acid composition of an unspecified <i>Picochlorum</i> strain KCTC AG61293 found in Korean coastal waters were investigated. The strain exhibited a unique cell morphology and reproduction type compared to other <i>Picochlorum</i> species, as determined using light microscopy, fluorescence microscopy, and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). The vegetative cells were elongated and cylindrical in shape, underwent binary fission, and possessed a parietal chloroplast. A molecular phylogenetic analysis using nuclear small subunit ribosomal RNA sequences showed that <i>Picochlorum</i> sp. (KCTC AG61293) belongs to the <i>Picochlorum</i> clade and is closely related to the genus <i>Nannochloris</i>. Compared to other reference species, <i>Picochlorum</i> sp. (KCTC AG61293) had higher levels of saturated fatty acids (SFAs) and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). The increased levels of SFAs and ALA suggest that <i>Picochlorum</i> sp. (KCTC AG61293) may be a promising candidate for biofuel production and other industrial uses.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/12/2/245KCTC AG61293fatty acidsmicroalgaephylogenetic analysis
spellingShingle Sungmo Kang
Hyeon Ho Shin
Zhun Li
The Discovery and Characterization of a Novel Microalgal Strain, <i>Picochlorum</i> sp. KCTC AG61293, with Potential for α-Linolenic Acid Production
Journal of Marine Science and Engineering
KCTC AG61293
fatty acids
microalgae
phylogenetic analysis
title The Discovery and Characterization of a Novel Microalgal Strain, <i>Picochlorum</i> sp. KCTC AG61293, with Potential for α-Linolenic Acid Production
title_full The Discovery and Characterization of a Novel Microalgal Strain, <i>Picochlorum</i> sp. KCTC AG61293, with Potential for α-Linolenic Acid Production
title_fullStr The Discovery and Characterization of a Novel Microalgal Strain, <i>Picochlorum</i> sp. KCTC AG61293, with Potential for α-Linolenic Acid Production
title_full_unstemmed The Discovery and Characterization of a Novel Microalgal Strain, <i>Picochlorum</i> sp. KCTC AG61293, with Potential for α-Linolenic Acid Production
title_short The Discovery and Characterization of a Novel Microalgal Strain, <i>Picochlorum</i> sp. KCTC AG61293, with Potential for α-Linolenic Acid Production
title_sort discovery and characterization of a novel microalgal strain i picochlorum i sp kctc ag61293 with potential for α linolenic acid production
topic KCTC AG61293
fatty acids
microalgae
phylogenetic analysis
url https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/12/2/245
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