Journal of Biotechnology & Biomaterials
Open Access

Abstract

Development of high throughput method for tracking the transitions in the biochemical constituents in algal cells has become an important task from a bio-chemical engineering and biotechnology perspective. In the present study an ATR-FTIR (Attenuated Total Reflectance-Fourier Transform Infrared) spectrographic technique was developed for quantifying changes in various biochemical components of an algal cell as polysaccharides, protein, lipid and phosphates of cultured algal cells to rate its lipid accumulation abilities. Based on a statistical approach and efficient peak fitting, the measured ATR-FTIR spectra from algal cells were analysed using the spectra of the known quantities of the substances to determine their relative contribution to the overall cellular spectrum. From this specific absorption, absolute macromolecular cell composition was calculated using calibration curves, which have been validated by independent biochemical methods by elemental analysis. This technique can be used for research for investigations in time-resolved changes in quantifying the cellular composition of algae in algal biochemistry i.e. lipid production, nutrient and toxicant accumulation, stress response etc. and can provide solutions to several environmental problem. The non-destructive spectrometric technique improves the efficiency of algal screening processes during bioreactor working and analysis, and can act as a potential tool in metabolic engineering of algal cells.

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