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Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad , Novi Sad , Serbia
Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad , Novi Sad , Serbia
Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad , Novi Sad , Serbia
Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad , Novi Sad , Serbia
Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) are a group of photosynthetic procaryotes investigated as an exceptional source of novel and bioactive compounds, while some species are used in aquaculture, agriculture, food and feed, etc. Recently, these microorganisms have been intensively studied to develop biocrusts, with the aim of stabilizing the soil and rehabilitation of degraded land surfaces (biocarpet engineering). Considering low biomass production in cyanobacteria is one of the main reasons limiting their wider commercial use, this study aimed to investigate the possibility of increased biomass production in four cyanobacteria strains from genera Arthrospira (Spirulina) and Nostoc by using red light, with illumination periods of 5 h and 10 h. During 35-day cultivation, the biomass production was determined spectrophotometrically, by measuring the chlorophyll a concentration. The results showed that red light inhibited the growth in tested Arthrospira strains, whereby the inhibition was more pronounced at longer exposure to red light. On the other hand, biomass production was increased approximately 2-fold in tested Nostoc strains, reaching 1.2 mg/mL and 1.8 mg/mL, respectively. Such results indicate the possibility of increasing the production of biomass or specific compounds in Nostoc strains by manipulation of cultivation conditions such as light quality.
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