Chlorella emersonii KJ725233 (CEK), is a non-fastidious microalga isolated from the western regions of Maharashtra, India. The alterations in its chlorophyll, protein and antioxidant content in response to cationic stress were studied. CEK was subjected to NaNO3 and NH4(NO3)2 at concentrations equivalent to 0.9 g/L (1x) and 1.8 g/L (2x) in the cultivation media. Qualitative alterations in the bioactives of the microalga were identified by Gas Chromatography High Resolution Mass Spectrometry (GC-HRMS) whilst the protein, chlorophyll and antioxidant manipulations were spectrophotometrically quantified. Doubling of the protein content was observed when the CEK grown in 1x NH4+ whereas in 2x NH4+ chlorosis was significant. 2x NH4+ also induced oxidative stress on CEK as evident from the 85.72±6.72%, 197.47±7.01%, 22.24±1.78% and 187.37±1.88% increase in antioxidant potential, ferric reducing capacity, radical scavenging potential and total phenolic content respectively as compared to CEK grown in 1x Na+. These alterations as indicated from the GC-HRMS data correlate to the bioactive inductions /variations of/in Vitamin E, phytol and its isomer in CEK grown in 2x NH4+. The study thus indicates that manipulations of nitrate salts in the media significantly induce as well as alter the concentrations of commercially significant compounds like Vitamin E, phytol etc.
Key words: Chlorella emersonii KJ725233, cations, nitrate, antioxidant, Vitamin E.
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