title: IDENTIFICATION AND PHYSIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF A NOVEL CAROTENOID-ENRICHED, METAL-RESISTANT MICROALGA ISOLATED FROM AN ACIDIC RIVER IN HUELVA (SPAIN)(1).
abstract: A heavy-metal-resistant, carotenoid-enriched novel unicellular microalga was isolated from an acidic river in Huelva, Spain. The isolated ribosomal 18S subunit rDNA sequence showed homology with known sequences from green microalgae, the closest sequence (98% homology) belonging to the genus Coccomyxa. The isolated microalga therefore was an up to now uncultured microalga. The microalga was isolated from Tinto River area (Huelva, Spain), an acidic river that exhibits very low pH (1.7-3.1) with high concentrations of sulfuric acid and heavy metals, including Fe, Cu, Mn, Ni, and Al. Electron micrographs show that the microalga contains a large chloroplast with a presence of lipid droplets, an increased number of starch bodies as well as electron-dense deposits and plastoglobules, the last observed only in iron-exposed cells. Unlike other acidophile microalgae, the isolated microalga showed high growth rates when cultivated photoautotrophycally (up to 0.6 d(-1) ) in a suitable culture medium prepared at our laboratory. The growth was shown to be iron dependent. When the microalga is grown in fluidized bed reactors, the high growth rates resulted in unexpectedly high productivities for being a microalga that naturally grows in acidic environments (0.32 g·L(-1) ·d(-1) ). The microalga also grows optimally on reduced carbon sources, including glucose and urea, and at an optimal temperature of 35°C. The alga pigment profile is particularly rich in carotenoids, especially lutein, suggesting that the microalga might have potential for antioxidant production, namely, xanthophylls.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Material Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Avda Tres de Marzo s/n, University of Huelva, 21007 Huelva, SpainDepartment of Environmental Biology and Public Health, Faculty of Sciences, Avda Tres de Marzo s/n, University of Huelva, 21007 Huelva, SpainAlgal Biotechnology Group, International Centre for Environmental Research (CIECEM), Parque Dunar s/n, Matalascañas, Almonte, 21760 Huelva, SpainCIDERTA, Universidad de Huelva, Parque Huelva Empresarial, 21071 Huelva, SpainAlgal Biotechnology Group, International Centre for Environmental Research (CIECEM), Parque Dunar s/n, Matalascañas, Almonte, 21760 Huelva, SpainBioAvan S.L., Parque Empresarial Torneo, C/Geología 97, 41015 Sevilla, SpainAlgal Biotechnology Group, International Centre for Environmental Research (CIECEM), Parque Dunar s/n, Matalascañas, Almonte, 21760 Huelva, SpainBioAvan S.L., Parque Empresarial Torneo, C/Geología 97, 41015 Sevilla, SpainAlgal Biotechnology Group, International Centre for Environmental Research (CIECEM), Parque Dunar s/n, Matalascañas, Almonte, 21760 Huelva, Spain.
authors.forename: Inés
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Garbayo
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Material Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Avda Tres de Marzo s/n, University of Huelva, 21007 Huelva, SpainDepartment of Environmental Biology and Public Health, Faculty of Sciences, Avda Tres de Marzo s/n, University of Huelva, 21007 Huelva, SpainAlgal Biotechnology Group, International Centre for Environmental Research (CIECEM), Parque Dunar s/n, Matalascañas, Almonte, 21760 Huelva, SpainCIDERTA, Universidad de Huelva, Parque Huelva Empresarial, 21071 Huelva, SpainAlgal Biotechnology Group, International Centre for Environmental Research (CIECEM), Parque Dunar s/n, Matalascañas, Almonte, 21760 Huelva, SpainBioAvan S.L., Parque Empresarial Torneo, C/Geología 97, 41015 Sevilla, SpainAlgal Biotechnology Group, International Centre for Environmental Research (CIECEM), Parque Dunar s/n, Matalascañas, Almonte, 21760 Huelva, SpainBioAvan S.L., Parque Empresarial Torneo, C/Geología 97, 41015 Sevilla, SpainAlgal Biotechnology Group, International Centre for Environmental Research (CIECEM), Parque Dunar s/n, Matalascañas, Almonte, 21760 Huelva, Spain.
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Torronteras
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Material Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Avda Tres de Marzo s/n, University of Huelva, 21007 Huelva, SpainDepartment of Environmental Biology and Public Health, Faculty of Sciences, Avda Tres de Marzo s/n, University of Huelva, 21007 Huelva, SpainAlgal Biotechnology Group, International Centre for Environmental Research (CIECEM), Parque Dunar s/n, Matalascañas, Almonte, 21760 Huelva, SpainCIDERTA, Universidad de Huelva, Parque Huelva Empresarial, 21071 Huelva, SpainAlgal Biotechnology Group, International Centre for Environmental Research (CIECEM), Parque Dunar s/n, Matalascañas, Almonte, 21760 Huelva, SpainBioAvan S.L., Parque Empresarial Torneo, C/Geología 97, 41015 Sevilla, SpainAlgal Biotechnology Group, International Centre for Environmental Research (CIECEM), Parque Dunar s/n, Matalascañas, Almonte, 21760 Huelva, SpainBioAvan S.L., Parque Empresarial Torneo, C/Geología 97, 41015 Sevilla, SpainAlgal Biotechnology Group, International Centre for Environmental Research (CIECEM), Parque Dunar s/n, Matalascañas, Almonte, 21760 Huelva, Spain.
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Forján
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Material Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Avda Tres de Marzo s/n, University of Huelva, 21007 Huelva, SpainDepartment of Environmental Biology and Public Health, Faculty of Sciences, Avda Tres de Marzo s/n, University of Huelva, 21007 Huelva, SpainAlgal Biotechnology Group, International Centre for Environmental Research (CIECEM), Parque Dunar s/n, Matalascañas, Almonte, 21760 Huelva, SpainCIDERTA, Universidad de Huelva, Parque Huelva Empresarial, 21071 Huelva, SpainAlgal Biotechnology Group, International Centre for Environmental Research (CIECEM), Parque Dunar s/n, Matalascañas, Almonte, 21760 Huelva, SpainBioAvan S.L., Parque Empresarial Torneo, C/Geología 97, 41015 Sevilla, SpainAlgal Biotechnology Group, International Centre for Environmental Research (CIECEM), Parque Dunar s/n, Matalascañas, Almonte, 21760 Huelva, SpainBioAvan S.L., Parque Empresarial Torneo, C/Geología 97, 41015 Sevilla, SpainAlgal Biotechnology Group, International Centre for Environmental Research (CIECEM), Parque Dunar s/n, Matalascañas, Almonte, 21760 Huelva, Spain.
authors.forename: María
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cuaresma
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Material Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Avda Tres de Marzo s/n, University of Huelva, 21007 Huelva, SpainDepartment of Environmental Biology and Public Health, Faculty of Sciences, Avda Tres de Marzo s/n, University of Huelva, 21007 Huelva, SpainAlgal Biotechnology Group, International Centre for Environmental Research (CIECEM), Parque Dunar s/n, Matalascañas, Almonte, 21760 Huelva, SpainCIDERTA, Universidad de Huelva, Parque Huelva Empresarial, 21071 Huelva, SpainAlgal Biotechnology Group, International Centre for Environmental Research (CIECEM), Parque Dunar s/n, Matalascañas, Almonte, 21760 Huelva, SpainBioAvan S.L., Parque Empresarial Torneo, C/Geología 97, 41015 Sevilla, SpainAlgal Biotechnology Group, International Centre for Environmental Research (CIECEM), Parque Dunar s/n, Matalascañas, Almonte, 21760 Huelva, SpainBioAvan S.L., Parque Empresarial Torneo, C/Geología 97, 41015 Sevilla, SpainAlgal Biotechnology Group, International Centre for Environmental Research (CIECEM), Parque Dunar s/n, Matalascañas, Almonte, 21760 Huelva, Spain.
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Casal
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Material Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Avda Tres de Marzo s/n, University of Huelva, 21007 Huelva, SpainDepartment of Environmental Biology and Public Health, Faculty of Sciences, Avda Tres de Marzo s/n, University of Huelva, 21007 Huelva, SpainAlgal Biotechnology Group, International Centre for Environmental Research (CIECEM), Parque Dunar s/n, Matalascañas, Almonte, 21760 Huelva, SpainCIDERTA, Universidad de Huelva, Parque Huelva Empresarial, 21071 Huelva, SpainAlgal Biotechnology Group, International Centre for Environmental Research (CIECEM), Parque Dunar s/n, Matalascañas, Almonte, 21760 Huelva, SpainBioAvan S.L., Parque Empresarial Torneo, C/Geología 97, 41015 Sevilla, SpainAlgal Biotechnology Group, International Centre for Environmental Research (CIECEM), Parque Dunar s/n, Matalascañas, Almonte, 21760 Huelva, SpainBioAvan S.L., Parque Empresarial Torneo, C/Geología 97, 41015 Sevilla, SpainAlgal Biotechnology Group, International Centre for Environmental Research (CIECEM), Parque Dunar s/n, Matalascañas, Almonte, 21760 Huelva, Spain.
authors.forename: Benito
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mogedas
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Material Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Avda Tres de Marzo s/n, University of Huelva, 21007 Huelva, SpainDepartment of Environmental Biology and Public Health, Faculty of Sciences, Avda Tres de Marzo s/n, University of Huelva, 21007 Huelva, SpainAlgal Biotechnology Group, International Centre for Environmental Research (CIECEM), Parque Dunar s/n, Matalascañas, Almonte, 21760 Huelva, SpainCIDERTA, Universidad de Huelva, Parque Huelva Empresarial, 21071 Huelva, SpainAlgal Biotechnology Group, International Centre for Environmental Research (CIECEM), Parque Dunar s/n, Matalascañas, Almonte, 21760 Huelva, SpainBioAvan S.L., Parque Empresarial Torneo, C/Geología 97, 41015 Sevilla, SpainAlgal Biotechnology Group, International Centre for Environmental Research (CIECEM), Parque Dunar s/n, Matalascañas, Almonte, 21760 Huelva, SpainBioAvan S.L., Parque Empresarial Torneo, C/Geología 97, 41015 Sevilla, SpainAlgal Biotechnology Group, International Centre for Environmental Research (CIECEM), Parque Dunar s/n, Matalascañas, Almonte, 21760 Huelva, Spain.
authors.forename: María C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Ruiz-Domínguez
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Material Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Avda Tres de Marzo s/n, University of Huelva, 21007 Huelva, SpainDepartment of Environmental Biology and Public Health, Faculty of Sciences, Avda Tres de Marzo s/n, University of Huelva, 21007 Huelva, SpainAlgal Biotechnology Group, International Centre for Environmental Research (CIECEM), Parque Dunar s/n, Matalascañas, Almonte, 21760 Huelva, SpainCIDERTA, Universidad de Huelva, Parque Huelva Empresarial, 21071 Huelva, SpainAlgal Biotechnology Group, International Centre for Environmental Research (CIECEM), Parque Dunar s/n, Matalascañas, Almonte, 21760 Huelva, SpainBioAvan S.L., Parque Empresarial Torneo, C/Geología 97, 41015 Sevilla, SpainAlgal Biotechnology Group, International Centre for Environmental Research (CIECEM), Parque Dunar s/n, Matalascañas, Almonte, 21760 Huelva, SpainBioAvan S.L., Parque Empresarial Torneo, C/Geología 97, 41015 Sevilla, SpainAlgal Biotechnology Group, International Centre for Environmental Research (CIECEM), Parque Dunar s/n, Matalascañas, Almonte, 21760 Huelva, Spain.
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Márquez
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Material Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Avda Tres de Marzo s/n, University of Huelva, 21007 Huelva, SpainDepartment of Environmental Biology and Public Health, Faculty of Sciences, Avda Tres de Marzo s/n, University of Huelva, 21007 Huelva, SpainAlgal Biotechnology Group, International Centre for Environmental Research (CIECEM), Parque Dunar s/n, Matalascañas, Almonte, 21760 Huelva, SpainCIDERTA, Universidad de Huelva, Parque Huelva Empresarial, 21071 Huelva, SpainAlgal Biotechnology Group, International Centre for Environmental Research (CIECEM), Parque Dunar s/n, Matalascañas, Almonte, 21760 Huelva, SpainBioAvan S.L., Parque Empresarial Torneo, C/Geología 97, 41015 Sevilla, SpainAlgal Biotechnology Group, International Centre for Environmental Research (CIECEM), Parque Dunar s/n, Matalascañas, Almonte, 21760 Huelva, SpainBioAvan S.L., Parque Empresarial Torneo, C/Geología 97, 41015 Sevilla, SpainAlgal Biotechnology Group, International Centre for Environmental Research (CIECEM), Parque Dunar s/n, Matalascañas, Almonte, 21760 Huelva, Spain.
authors.forename: Isabel
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Vaquero
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Material Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Avda Tres de Marzo s/n, University of Huelva, 21007 Huelva, SpainDepartment of Environmental Biology and Public Health, Faculty of Sciences, Avda Tres de Marzo s/n, University of Huelva, 21007 Huelva, SpainAlgal Biotechnology Group, International Centre for Environmental Research (CIECEM), Parque Dunar s/n, Matalascañas, Almonte, 21760 Huelva, SpainCIDERTA, Universidad de Huelva, Parque Huelva Empresarial, 21071 Huelva, SpainAlgal Biotechnology Group, International Centre for Environmental Research (CIECEM), Parque Dunar s/n, Matalascañas, Almonte, 21760 Huelva, SpainBioAvan S.L., Parque Empresarial Torneo, C/Geología 97, 41015 Sevilla, SpainAlgal Biotechnology Group, International Centre for Environmental Research (CIECEM), Parque Dunar s/n, Matalascañas, Almonte, 21760 Huelva, SpainBioAvan S.L., Parque Empresarial Torneo, C/Geología 97, 41015 Sevilla, SpainAlgal Biotechnology Group, International Centre for Environmental Research (CIECEM), Parque Dunar s/n, Matalascañas, Almonte, 21760 Huelva, Spain.
authors.forename: Juan L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Fuentes-Cordero
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Material Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Avda Tres de Marzo s/n, University of Huelva, 21007 Huelva, SpainDepartment of Environmental Biology and Public Health, Faculty of Sciences, Avda Tres de Marzo s/n, University of Huelva, 21007 Huelva, SpainAlgal Biotechnology Group, International Centre for Environmental Research (CIECEM), Parque Dunar s/n, Matalascañas, Almonte, 21760 Huelva, SpainCIDERTA, Universidad de Huelva, Parque Huelva Empresarial, 21071 Huelva, SpainAlgal Biotechnology Group, International Centre for Environmental Research (CIECEM), Parque Dunar s/n, Matalascañas, Almonte, 21760 Huelva, SpainBioAvan S.L., Parque Empresarial Torneo, C/Geología 97, 41015 Sevilla, SpainAlgal Biotechnology Group, International Centre for Environmental Research (CIECEM), Parque Dunar s/n, Matalascañas, Almonte, 21760 Huelva, SpainBioAvan S.L., Parque Empresarial Torneo, C/Geología 97, 41015 Sevilla, SpainAlgal Biotechnology Group, International Centre for Environmental Research (CIECEM), Parque Dunar s/n, Matalascañas, Almonte, 21760 Huelva, Spain.
authors.forename: Rocío
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fuentes
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Material Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Avda Tres de Marzo s/n, University of Huelva, 21007 Huelva, SpainDepartment of Environmental Biology and Public Health, Faculty of Sciences, Avda Tres de Marzo s/n, University of Huelva, 21007 Huelva, SpainAlgal Biotechnology Group, International Centre for Environmental Research (CIECEM), Parque Dunar s/n, Matalascañas, Almonte, 21760 Huelva, SpainCIDERTA, Universidad de Huelva, Parque Huelva Empresarial, 21071 Huelva, SpainAlgal Biotechnology Group, International Centre for Environmental Research (CIECEM), Parque Dunar s/n, Matalascañas, Almonte, 21760 Huelva, SpainBioAvan S.L., Parque Empresarial Torneo, C/Geología 97, 41015 Sevilla, SpainAlgal Biotechnology Group, International Centre for Environmental Research (CIECEM), Parque Dunar s/n, Matalascañas, Almonte, 21760 Huelva, SpainBioAvan S.L., Parque Empresarial Torneo, C/Geología 97, 41015 Sevilla, SpainAlgal Biotechnology Group, International Centre for Environmental Research (CIECEM), Parque Dunar s/n, Matalascañas, Almonte, 21760 Huelva, Spain.
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: González-Del-Valle
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Material Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Avda Tres de Marzo s/n, University of Huelva, 21007 Huelva, SpainDepartment of Environmental Biology and Public Health, Faculty of Sciences, Avda Tres de Marzo s/n, University of Huelva, 21007 Huelva, SpainAlgal Biotechnology Group, International Centre for Environmental Research (CIECEM), Parque Dunar s/n, Matalascañas, Almonte, 21760 Huelva, SpainCIDERTA, Universidad de Huelva, Parque Huelva Empresarial, 21071 Huelva, SpainAlgal Biotechnology Group, International Centre for Environmental Research (CIECEM), Parque Dunar s/n, Matalascañas, Almonte, 21760 Huelva, SpainBioAvan S.L., Parque Empresarial Torneo, C/Geología 97, 41015 Sevilla, SpainAlgal Biotechnology Group, International Centre for Environmental Research (CIECEM), Parque Dunar s/n, Matalascañas, Almonte, 21760 Huelva, SpainBioAvan S.L., Parque Empresarial Torneo, C/Geología 97, 41015 Sevilla, SpainAlgal Biotechnology Group, International Centre for Environmental Research (CIECEM), Parque Dunar s/n, Matalascañas, Almonte, 21760 Huelva, Spain.
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vílchez
keywords: Coccomyxa; acidophile; carotenoids; lutein; microalgae; oxidative stress