Photosynthetica 2018, 56(4):1268-1277 | DOI: 10.1007/s11099-018-0841-5

Reduction of photosynthetic apparatus plays a key role in survival of the microalga Haematococcus pluvialis (Chlorophyceae) at freezing temperatures

K. Chekanov1,2,*, S. Vasilieva1, A. Solovchenko1, E. Lobakova1
1 Biological Faculty, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow GSP-1, Russia
2 Centre for Humanities Research and Technology, National Research Nuclear University MEPhi, Moscow, Russia

The microalga Haematococcus pluvialis is a biotechnologically important microorganism producing a ketocarotenoid astaxanthin. Haematococcus exists either as metabolically active vegetative cells with a high chlorophyll content or astaxanthin-rich haematocysts (aplanospores). This microalga featuring outstanding tolerance to a wide range of adverse conditions is a highly suitable model for studies of freezing tolerance in phototrophs. The retention of H. pluvialis cell viability after freezing-thawing is ascribed to elevated antioxidant enzyme activity and high ketocarotenoid content. However, we report that only haematocysts characterized by a lower photosynthetic activity were resistant to freezing-thawing even without cryoprotectant addition. The key factors of haematocyst freezing tolerance were assumed to be a low water content, rigid cell walls, reduction of the membranous structures, photosynthesis downregulation, and low chlorophyll content. Collectively, viability of Haematoccus after freezing-thawing can be improved by forcing the transition of vegetative cells to freeze-tolerant haematocysts before freezing.

Keywords: cold stress; Haematococcys pluvialis; stress tolerance

Received: May 31, 2017; Accepted: November 15, 2017; Prepublished online: December 1, 2018; Published: November 1, 2018Show citation

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Chekanov, K., Vasilieva, S., Solovchenko, A., & Lobakova, E. (2018). Reduction of photosynthetic apparatus plays a key role in survival of the microalga Haematococcus pluvialis (Chlorophyceae) at freezing temperatures. Photosynthetica, 56(4), 1268-1277. doi: 10.1007/s11099-018-0841-5.
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