Light modulation of biomass and macromolecular composition of the diatom Skeletonema marinoi. Journal of Biotechnology

tThe biochemical profile and growth of the coastal diatom Skeletonema marinoi was investigated underfour different daily blue light doses (sinusoidal light peaking at 88, 130, 250 and 450 mol photonsm−2s−1, respectively). Ability of cells to regulate the light energy input caused alterations in growth anddifferent biosynthetic pathways. The light saturation index for photosynthesis (Ek), which governs thephotoacclimative processes, ranged between 250 and 300 mol photons m−2s−1. Cells that were adaptedto low light (<Ek) enhanced their carotenoid, lipid and protein contents and lowered carbohydrate content,and vice versa under high light (≥Ek). Variations in fatty acid, pigment and amino acid compositions werea result of light adaptation. Our data show that light is a potent factor for manipulating biomass synthesisin microalgae, such as diatoms for microalgal biotechnology