TY - JOUR
T1 - Taxonomical, Physiological, and Biochemical Characteristics of Dunaliella salina DSTA20 from Hypersaline Environments of Taean Salt Pond, Republic of Korea
AU - Jo, Chang Rak
AU - Cho, Kichul
AU - An, Sung Min
AU - Do, Jeong Mi
AU - Hong, Ji Won
AU - Kim, Ju Hyoung
AU - Kim, Sun Young
AU - Jeong, Hyeon Gyeong
AU - Kang, Nam Seon
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 by the authors.
PY - 2024/12
Y1 - 2024/12
N2 - Dunaliella salina, a halophilic unicellular chlorophyte, produces bioactive compounds and biofuels applicable to various industries. Despite its industrial significance, comprehensive studies on the morphological, physiological, and biochemical characteristics of the genus Dunaliella remain challenging. In this study, we characterized an axenically isolated green alga from a salt pond in Taean, Republic of Korea, and assessed its industrially relevant traits. The morphological characteristics were typical of D. salina, and molecular phylogenetic analysis of the SSU, ITS1-5.8S-ITS, LSU regions of rDNA, and rbcL gene confirmed the isolate as D. salina strain DSTA20. The optimal temperature, salinity, and photon flux density required for its growth were determined to be 21 °C, 0.5 M NaCl, and 88 µmol m−2 s−1, respectively. Dried biomass analysis revealed 42.87% total lipids, with major fatty acids, including α-linolenic acid (31.55%) and palmitic acid (21.06%). The alga produced high-value carotenoids, including β-carotene (2.47 mg g−1 dry weight (DW)) and lutein (1.39 mg g−1 DW), with peak levels at 0.25 M salinity. Glucose (195.5 mg g−1 DW) was the predominant monosaccharide. These findings highlight the potential of D. salina DSTA20 for biodiesel production and as a source of ω-3 fatty acids, carotenoids, and glucose. Morphological traits provide insights relevant to the industrial potential of the species.
AB - Dunaliella salina, a halophilic unicellular chlorophyte, produces bioactive compounds and biofuels applicable to various industries. Despite its industrial significance, comprehensive studies on the morphological, physiological, and biochemical characteristics of the genus Dunaliella remain challenging. In this study, we characterized an axenically isolated green alga from a salt pond in Taean, Republic of Korea, and assessed its industrially relevant traits. The morphological characteristics were typical of D. salina, and molecular phylogenetic analysis of the SSU, ITS1-5.8S-ITS, LSU regions of rDNA, and rbcL gene confirmed the isolate as D. salina strain DSTA20. The optimal temperature, salinity, and photon flux density required for its growth were determined to be 21 °C, 0.5 M NaCl, and 88 µmol m−2 s−1, respectively. Dried biomass analysis revealed 42.87% total lipids, with major fatty acids, including α-linolenic acid (31.55%) and palmitic acid (21.06%). The alga produced high-value carotenoids, including β-carotene (2.47 mg g−1 dry weight (DW)) and lutein (1.39 mg g−1 DW), with peak levels at 0.25 M salinity. Glucose (195.5 mg g−1 DW) was the predominant monosaccharide. These findings highlight the potential of D. salina DSTA20 for biodiesel production and as a source of ω-3 fatty acids, carotenoids, and glucose. Morphological traits provide insights relevant to the industrial potential of the species.
KW - biodiesel production
KW - carotenoids
KW - Dunaliella salina
KW - fatty acid profile
KW - halophilic microalga
KW - molecular identification
KW - monosaccharides
KW - taxonomy
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85213282926&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3390/microorganisms12122467
DO - 10.3390/microorganisms12122467
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85213282926
SN - 2076-2607
VL - 12
JO - Microorganisms
JF - Microorganisms
IS - 12
M1 - 2467
ER -