Journal of Environmental Biology

Morphology and cultural behavior of Botryococcus protuberans  with notes on the genus

 

U. N. Rai*, S. Dwivedi, V. S. Baghel, R. D. Tripathi, O.P. Shukla and M.K. Shukla

Ecotoxicology and Bioremediation Group

National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow – 226 001, India

(Received: February 02, 2005 ; Revised received: August 02, 2005 ; Accepted: September 13, 2005)

Abstract: The green alga Botryococcus protuberans was isolated from its natural environment and its morphology under different cultural conditions was examined. The alga was characterized by a high starch content and reddish oil drops as the assimilatory products. Photosynthetic pigments, Chl a, Chl b, carotenoids and xanthophylls are present. Modification of environmental conditions in modified Chu-10 medium resulted in optimum growth of the alga. Fatty acid composition revealed palmitic acid being the major component, while lauric acid, myristic acid and stearic acid were found in less quantity.

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