Biomass and terpenoids produced by mutant strains of Arthrospira under low temperature and light conditions

The filamentous Cyanobacterium Arthrospira is commercially produced and is a functional, high-value, health food. We identified 5 low temperature and low light intensity tolerant strains of Arthrospira sp. (GMPA1, GMPA7, GMPB1, GMPC1, and GMPC3) using ethyl methanesulfonate mutagenesis and low temperature screening. The 5 Arthrospira strains grew rapidly below 14 °C, 43.75 μmol photons m^-2 s^-1 and performed breed conservation at 2.5 °C, 8.75 μmol photons m^-2 s^-1. We used morphological identification and molecular genetic analysis to identify GMPA1, GMPA7, GMPB1 and GMPC1 as Arthrospira platensis, while GMPC3 was identified as Arthrospira maxima. Growth at different culture temperatures was determined at regular intervals using dry biomass. At 16 °C and 43.75 μmol photons m^-2 s^-1, the maximum dry biomass production and the mean dry biomass productivity of GMPA1, GMPB1, and GMPC1 were 2057 ± 80 mg l^-1, 68.7 ± 2.5 mg l^-1 day^-1, 1839 ± 44 mg l^-1, 60.6 ± 1.8 mg l^-1 day^-1, and 2113 ± 64 mg l^-1, 77.7 ± 2.5 mg l^-1 day^-1 respectively. GMPB1 was chosen for additional low temperature tolerance studies and growth temperature preference. In winter, GMPB1 grew well at mean temperatures <10 °C, achieving 3258 mg dry biomass from a starting 68 mg. In summer, GMPB1 grew rapidly at mean temperatures more than 28 °C, achieving 1140 mg l^-1 dry biomass from a starting 240 mg. Phytonutrient analysis of GMPB1 showed high levels of C-phycocyanin and carotenoids. Arthrospira metabolism relates to terpenoids, and the methyl-D-erythritol 4-phosphate pathway is the only terpenoid biosynthetic pathway in Cyanobacteria. The 1-deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate reductoisomerase (DXR) gene from GMPB1 was cloned and phylogenetic analysis showed that GMPB1 is closest to the Cyanobacterium Oscillatoria nigro-viridis PCC711. Low temperature tolerant Arthrospira strains could broaden the areas suitable for cultivation, extend the seasonal cultivation time, and lower production costs.