Growth characteristics of three synurophytes (Mallomonas species) at different temperatures and pH

The growth characteristics of three species of Mallomonas (M. acaroides, M. areolata and M. caudata) isolated from 5 reservoirs in Kyungpook Province, Korea were investigated at different temperatures and pH under batch culture. Mallomonas acaroides and M. caudata exhibited the highest growth rates (μ_max) at 21°C, whereas the maximum growth rate of M. areolata was observed between 18°C and 21°C. The maximum growth of M. acaroides and M. areolata was observed at pH 6, while M. caudata showed maximum growth at pH 7. Although population growth of these three species under batch culture conditions was maintained over a wide range of temperatures and pH, the species exhibited species-specific adaptation by having different optimal temperature and pH conditions for maximum growth. Similarly, three strains of M. caudata had varying optimal growth requirements, which suggests that each strain of M. caudata exhibited strain-specific adaptation.