Effects of growth phase and nitrogen limitation on biochemical composition of two strains of Tisochrysis lutea

Standard and mutant Tisochrysis lutea strains were grown in batch culture for 10 days under nitrogen (N)-replete and N-reduced conditions to determine the effects of N supply in culture medium and growth phase on microalgal physiology and biochemistry. These two T. lutea strains were compared in terms of growth, morphology, associated free-living bacterial community, viability, intracellular lipid content (as measured by Bodipy staining), chlorophyll autofluorescence, and biochemical composition, with a focus on lipid class and fatty acid compositions. The standard strain (T) reached higher cell counts regardless of N supply in culture medium. In both T. lutea strains, microalgal final cell density was significantly lower in N-reduced medium. Carbohydrates were enhanced at stationary phase in both strains, regardless of N supply. The oleaginous strain (T +) accumulated triacylglycerols; whereas, the standard strain T accumulated alkenones as reserve lipids, especially in N-reduced medium and stationary phase. Each T. lutea strain exhibited an intrinsic specific FA profile in neutral lipids (NL) and, to a lesser extent, in polar lipids (PL) independent of N supply and growth phase. T + contained more saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids (especially 14:0 and 18:1n-9), but less polyunsaturated fatty acids (18:4n-3 and 22:6n-3) than T. Overall, growth phase induced more changes in fatty acid profiles of both T. lutea strains in NL and PL than N supply in culture medium.