Characterization of novel euryhaline microalgal cultures from Punjab, India for bioactive compounds

Microalgae have gained recognition due to the occurrence of nutraceuticals which are sustainable reservoir to substitute the organic chemical-based health supplements. The biomass of microalgae incorporates various functional biomolecules like chlorophyll, carotenoids and phenols that exhibit therapeutic properties and act as nutraceuticals. In spite of the higher production of the microalgal biomass, difference in their biochemical composition, and lack of characterization for nutraceutical properties are the prime hindrance in upscaling these bio-factories. Two euryhaline microalgal strains viz. BGLR8 and BGLR16, isolated from water-logged areas of Punjab, India were screened for biomass production and characterized for the nutraceutical properties using biochemical estimations. Results of the study indicated that BGLR8 retained maximum amount of lipids (86 mg/g), total chlorophyll (29.42 mg/g), carotenoids (28.82 mg/g), phenols (4.46 mg/g), phycocyanin (52 mg/g), astaxanthin (19.27 mg/g) and β-carotene (5.6 mg/g) and anti-oxidant activity (31.73%) as compared to BGLR 16. The results of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) study revealed the presence of 8 therapeutic compounds like Dimethyl (E)-but-2-enedioate, Hexasilacyclododecane, Heptasilacyclotetradecane, Methyl (Z)-pentadec-8-enoate, Methyl octadec-13-enoate, Methyl hexadecanoate, Methyl octadecanoate, Methyl-octadeca-9,12-dienoate in BGLR8. Molecular identification through 18S rRNA gene sequencing confirmed BGLR8 to be a member of genus Coelastrella. (GenBank accession no. MW443083.1). Microalgae can be used as an alternate and feasible source of PUFAs; however, only a few species are employed for PUFA synthesis, necessitating additional in-depth research and the isolation of novel strains.