Isolation, characterization, and maintenance of native Swiss microalgae for biotechnological prospection

Microalgae culture collections may contain unexplored strains with great biotechnological potential. Through sampling, identification, characterization, and maintenance of local strains, part of the work described here led to the establishment of the first public Swiss microalgae culture collection, AlgoScope. The potential biotechnological applications of 7 strains from among over 120 native strains were suggested based on growth parameters and biochemical composition. Under standardized growth conditions, Tetradesmus obliquus FAM 27852 and FAM 27855, Chloroidium saccharophilum FAM 27962, Chlorella vulgaris FAM 27965, Stichococcus sp. FAM 27986, Desmodesmus sp. FAM 28090, and Tetranephris brasiliensis FAM 28097 had growth rates of 0.24 d^-1-0.80 d^-1 and biomass productivities of 0.24 g L^-1 d^-1-0.73 g L^-1 d^-1. Proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and ashes ranged from 32.88 to 53.54%, 9.69-18.08%, 9.32-23.94%, and 3.17-5.51%, respectively. All strains had a similar amino acid composition, containing all essential amino acids. In contrast, the fatty acid composition varied among strains, but, in general, the fatty acids were rich in PUFAs (23.83-53.49% of total fatty acids). Overall, C. saccharophilum FAM 27962 and T. brasiliensis FAM 28097 showed great potential for use in the animal feed sector.