Cultivation and biochemical composition of marine diatoms (Bacillariophyta) of Santa Lucía Bay, Acapulco, Mexico

Abstract

The objective of this study was to identify, isolate and cultivate three species of marine diatoms in discontinuous scaling systems: Eupyxidicula turris, Trieres mobiliensis and Biddulphia alternans, from the Santa Lucia Bay of Acapulco, México. Identification of species was performed with binocular optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Likewise, the development of three species through growth kinetics and quantification of proximal biochemical content (lipids, proteins, carbohydrates and ashes) was evaluated. The species showed a maximum growth of 2.1, 3.0, and 8.5 cells mL^-1, and a specific growth rate >0,50 days, at the end of the exponential phase of the third scale; and a dry biomass yield of 139.6; 163.3 and 219.9 mg to E. turris, T. mobiliensis and B. alternans, respectively. Lipids content (11.1 ± 0.31 to 11.5 ± 0.18%), proteins (8.2 ± 0.25 to 8.8 ± 0.35%) and carbohydrates (10 ± 0.22 to 30 ± 0.21%), were similar for the three species. Nevertheless, Biddulphia alternans recorded better cell growth (16 x 10³ daily cells) and higher biomass yield (219.9 mg L^-1); considering it a diatom species with potential for further researches with biotechnological purposes.