Varying the growing conditions, such as the type and concentration of nutrients, temperature, pH, light intensity, photoperiod regime harvest batch cultures or semi continuous, genetic manipulation, among others has helped establish systems directed towards obtaining microalgae biomass. Microalgae response to the pH varies greatly, because this determines the solubility of carbon dioxide and mineral and influences on crops directly or indirectly in their metabolism Temperature not only affects cell reactions, but also the nutritional requirements and the biomass composition and the solubility of gases in water.
The mass cultures of microalgae are typically obtained photoautotrophic ally manner, either through the use of open ponds and natural light or a variation of more intensive systems. However, alternatives are presented microalgae biomass production, both in heterotrophic conditions as mixotrophic. That is, when they are able to assimilate organic carbon source organotrophic exhibiting growth.
The mixotrophic produce a high amount of biomass compared to autotrophy and heterotrophy and this is possibly due to the effect of light energy and the organic substrate. While heterotrophic cultures, from engineering has advantages over photosynthetic systems as is obtained with proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, inter alia, a lower cost, to dispense with the lighting.
When the microalgae are associated with bacteria in nature (not axenic) exerted an interaction that can be beneficial for both, so that the micro algae are able to assimilate product of bacterial activity in the medium. Likewise, the associated microbial flora is involved in the regulation of physiological parameters such as pH, temperature and salinity. In contrast, axenic conditions, microalgae do not reach optimal growth, lacking associated microbial flora, which will provide essential factors for growth (Mallorca, 2008).
Under laboratory conditions, axenic microalgae strains are of paramount importance in biochemical, physiological, genetic and taxonomic. The work done on microalgae from the physiological point of view are of great interest, since they allow to ascertain whether or not the microalgae has physiological mechanisms that regulate allow stressful environmental conditions such as high salinity, pH, temperature, nutrient limitation, dehydration , among others. That is why it is necessary to conduct studies on the reaction of microalgae to environmental factors, which may vary depending on the absence or presence of bacteria associated.
Among the most important microalgae Chlorella is its economic and nutritional value, both animal and human. For example, Chlorella was utilized protein quality and even has antitumor properties. Currently, represents an ideal biological system for various researches and also has a high efficiency because of its easy adaptation in laboratory conditions (Yuh-Shan Ho, 2012).
Axenic cultures of microalgae of interest in biotechnology can be used for pharmacological purposes and human nutrition. While, non axenic cultures in which remains associated bacterial flora may be selected for aquaculture, animal nutrition or bio ...