Isolation and Characterization of a new Dunaliella Strain from Pink Lake in Australia

Abstract

Isolation and Characterization of a new Dunaliella Strain from Pink Lake in Australia

Nuri Shin, EonSeon Jin Dept. of Life Science, Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea

Pink Lake is located in western part of Australia. The color of Pink Lake is attributed to high concentrations of salt tolerant algae, Dunaliella. Algae of the genus Dunaliella are known to be able to grow in a wide range of salinities. In this study, we isolated new strain of Dunaliella from Pink lake in Australia and characterized this strain. A phylogenetic analysis had been performed to classify this new Dunaliella strain by using nuclear rDNA internally transcribed spacer regions ITS1 and ITS2. Based on the results of our phylogenetic analysis, we concluded that this strain belongs to the species of D. viridis. To examine the difference of the molecular expression under the salt stress, newly isolated strain of Dunaliella were cultivated in different salt concentration (form 1.5M to 4.5M NaCl). The expression of stress related enzyme were compared with other Dunlaeilla slaina strains. Also comparison of photosynthesis rate using efficiency of photosynthesis and photosynthetic pigment content under different salt stress were investigated.