Uso de la fluoresceína como pigmento fotosintético auxiliar en el cultivo de microalgas de la especie Chlorella Vulgaris

Abstract

Visible light between 650 to 700 nm (red light) is the most efficient for microalgae growth, while wavelengths below 430 nm decrease the production of lipids and the photosynthesis rate promoting photo–oxidative damage. This work studies the inclusion of fluorescein or its derivatives in the growing media of the microalgae specie Chlorella vulgaris as mechanism to increase photosynthetic efficiency. In fact, fluorescein is a substance that absorbs blue to UV radiation and particularly fluoresces with high quantum yield in the 480 to 700 nm region. The goal to incorporate fluorescein in the processes is converting high-energy into low-energy visible light, that might be used more efficiently by the microalgae and consequently it would be possible to improve the oil production. Chlorella vulgaris was grown in Bold’s Basal Medium (BBM) by using a homemade photo-bioreactor, specifically designed for this project. Aeration was provided by means of aquarium air pumps. Each experimental test was maintained at constant conditions for 12 days, feeding Fluorescein in concentrations from 6,0 to 36,0 mg/L. Cells accounting was done daily by using a Neubauer chamber. It was observed that by increasing the fluorescein concentration in the medium was possible to improve the growth of the microalgal biomass.