Impact of Salinity on the Physiological and Biochemical Traits of Chlorella vulgaris Beijerinck

A study was conducted to investigate the impact of NaCl on the physiological and biochemical traits of Chlorella vulgaris Beijerinck. In order to determine the impact of NaCl, Chlorella was exposed to different concentrations of NaCl ranging from 0.1-0.4M besides control over a period of 30 days. It was found that total chlorophyll contents stimulated at lower concentrations of NaCl (0.1 and 0.2M) but reduced at higher (0.3 and 0.4M) concentrations. The total protein contents inhibited at all concentrations of NaCl . While -carotene and carbohydrate contents increased upto 0.3M and thereafter declined. It is interesting to note that the proline content increased with increase in NaCl concentrations. However, glycine betaine was noticeably increased upto 0.3 M and thereafter declined. The results indicated that Chlorella vulgaris showed diverse response to NaCl stress.