Physiological and Biochemical Characterization of Antarctic Isolate Choricystis Minor during Oxidative Stress at Different Temperatures and Light Intensities

Oxidative stress effects on growth, viability, pigment (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, β-carotene) and protein contents in Antarctic microalga Choricystis minor were investigated. C. minor was cultivated at optimal (23.5oC), or extreme (15oC 27.5oC) temperatures and light intensity of 520 and 1000 μmol m-2 s-1. Oxidative stress was developed by adding Sanosil which degrades to H2O2 and Ag +. As a result inhibited growth and viability of algal cells cultivated at optimal and extreme high temperatures was observed and treatment caused a decrease of pigment and protein contents. This negative effect was further increased by the enhancement of light intensity. The combined treatment of algae with low temperature (15oC) and Sanosil resulted in an increase of total pigment and protein contents by 38% and 36%, respectively.