EVALUATING THE EFFECT OF EMS AS CHEMICAL MUTAGEN ON THE CELLULAR COMPONENTS OF A MICRO GREEN ALGAE
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.36103/g2d4j618Keywords:
Biofuel, biomass, Coelastrella MH923011, fatty acids, proteinsAbstract
This study aimed to study the effect of the chemical mutagen ethyl methane sulfate (EMS) on the cellular components of the microgreen alga Coelasterlla MH923011. The genus Coelastrella has been around for about a century and comprises a small number of species. Coelastrella MH923011 has a coccoid shape that is elliptical until it becomes citriform. They are found as single-celled microalgae or aggregations of a few cells. Alga was cultivated for 14 days in BG11-modified conditions before being subjected to EMS mutagenesis to determine the effects on biomass and cellular contents such as protein, carbohydrate, lipid, and fatty acid. Mutant one showed that biomass increased from days 7 to 15; the peak growth rate of 0.01g/l on day 13 and subsequent increase by day 15 to 0.03g/l may indicate different physiological responses triggered by mutagens, and showed a rise in protein with 11.22%, Carbohydrate 26.88%, and lipids 26.11% increase. In addition, GC-mass confirmed the presence of seven fatty acids and an increase in mutagenic algae compared to the control group.
Received: 28/4/2025
Accepted: 20/7/2025
Published: 31/8/2026
References
Abed, I. J., Abdulhasan, G. A., & Moushib, L. I. (2019). Molecular and immunological methods to confirm toxigenicity (microcystin production) of Westiellopsis prolifica isolated from the Tigris River, Iraq. Baghdad Science Journal, 16(4, Supplement), 978. https://doi.org/10.21123/bsj.2019.16.4(Suppl.).0978 DOI: https://doi.org/10.21123/bsj.2019.16.4(Suppl.).0978
Ahmad, I., Abdullah, N., Koji, I., Yuzir, A., & Mohamad, S. E. (2021). Potential of microalgae in bioremediation of wastewater. Bulletin of Chemical Reaction Engineering and Catalysis, 16(2), 413–429. https://doi.org/10.9767/bcrec.16.2.10616.413-429 DOI: https://doi.org/10.9767/bcrec.16.2.10616.413-429
Al-Saedi, R. K. M., Najem, A. M., & Abed, I. J. (2019). Impact of chemical mutagenesis on biomass and productivity of some microgreen algae. International Conference on Research in Education and Science (ICRES), 6, 8895. http://www.epstem.net/en/pub/issue/47329/605346
Alshididi, S. S., Al-Mashhadani, M. K. H., & Abed, I. J. (2024). Wastewater treatment by the cyanobacterium species Synechococcus elongatus as biosorption material for Pb, Cr, and Ni heavy metals. Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution, 21(6), 111–118. https://doi.org/10.3233/AJW240078 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3233/AJW240078
Borics, G., Abonyi, A., Salmaso, N., & Ptacnik, R. (2021). Freshwater phytoplankton diversity: Models, drivers and implications for ecosystem properties. Hydrobiologia, 848, 53–75.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-020-04332-9 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-020-04332-9
Chiu-Mei, K., Tsung-Hsien, L., Yi-Chun, Y., Wen-Xin, Z., Jinn-Tsyy, L., Hsi-Tien, W., Jo-Shu, C., & Chih-Sheng, L. (2017). Ability of an alkali-tolerant mutant strain of the microalga Chlorella sp. AT1 to capture carbon dioxide for increasing carbon dioxide utilization efficiency. Bioresource Technology, 244(1), 243–251. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2017.07.096 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2017.07.096
Chu, W. L. (2017). Strategies to enhance production of microalgal biomass and lipids for biofuel feedstock. European Journal of Phycology, 52(4), 419–437. https://doi.org/10.1080/09670262.2017.1379100 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09670262.2017.1379100
de Jonge, H. W., Dekkers, D. H., & Lamers, J. M. (1996). Polyunsaturated fatty acids and signalling via phospholipase C-beta and A2 in myocardium. Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, 157(1–2), 199–210. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00227899 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00227899
den Besten, G., van Eunen, K., Groen, A. K., Venema, K., Reijngoud, D. J., & Bakker, B. M. (2013). The role of short-chain fatty acids in the interplay between diet, gut microbiota, and host energy metabolism. Journal of Lipid Research, 54(9), 2325–2340. https://doi.org/10.1194/jlr.R036012 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1194/jlr.R036012
Divya, C., Talreja, N., & Ashfaq, M. (2021). Nanoadsorbents for wastewater remediation. In K. A. Abd-Elsalam & M. Zahid (Eds.), Aquananotechnology (pp. 273–290). Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-821141-0.00017-3 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-821141-0.00017-3
Elshobary, M. E., Zabed, H. M., Qi, X., & El-Shenody, R. A. (2022). Enhancing biomass and lipid productivity of a green microalga Parachlorella kessleri for biodiesel production using rapid mutation of atmospheric and room temperature plasma. Biotechnology for Biofuels, 15, 122. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13068-022-02220-z DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13068-022-02220-z
Galasso, C., Gentile, A., Orefice, I., Ianora, A., Bruno, A., Noonan, D. M., Sansone, C., Albini, A., & Brunet, C. (2019). Microalgal derivatives as potential nutraceutical and food supplements for human health: A focus on cancer prevention and interception. Nutrients, 11(6), 1226. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11061226 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11061226
Gutiérrez, R., Ram, Y., Berman, J., de Sousa, K. C. M., Nachum-Biala, Y., Britzi, M., Elad, D., Glaser, G., Covo, S., & Harrus, S. (2021). Adaptive resistance mutations at suprainhibitory concentrations independent of SOS mutagenesis. Molecular Biology and Evolution, 38(10), 4095–4115. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/molbev/msab196
Harris, R. V., & James, A. T. (1965). Linoleic and alpha-linolenic acid biosynthesis in plant leaves and green alga. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta, 106(3), 456–460. https://doi.org/10.1016/0005-2760(65)90062-7 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0005-2760(65)90062-7
Hassan, H. A., Al-Mashhadani, M. K. H., Abed, K. M., & Abed, I. J. (2021). The optimal utilization of lighting factor in the flat photobioreactor for biological applications. Materials Today: Proceedings, 42(5), 2534–2540. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2020.12.575 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2020.12.575
Jiang, W., Li, C., Li, Y., & Peng, H. (2022). Metabolic engineering strategies for improved lipid production and cellular physiological responses in yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Journal of Fungi, 8(5), 427. https://doi.org/10.3390/jof8050427 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/jof8050427
Jiménez-Lao, R., Garcia-Caparros, P., Pérez-Saiz, M., Llanderal, A., & Lao, M. T. (2021). Monitoring optical tool to determine the chlorophyll concentration in ornamental plants. Agronomy, 11(11), 2197. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11112197 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11112197
Kahl, G. (1973). Genetic and metabolic regulation in differentiating plant storage tissue cells. The Botanical Review, 39, 274–299. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02860120 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02860120
Khoo, K. S., Ahmad, I., Chew, K. W., Iwamoto, K., Bhatnagar, A., & Show, P. L. (2023). Enhanced microalgal lipid production for biofuel using different strategies including genetic modification of microalgae: A review. Progress in Energy and Combustion Science, 96, 101071. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pecs.2023.101071 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pecs.2023.101071
Le, K. T., Maldonado, J. F., Nguyen, T., Goitom, E., Trigui, H., Ndiaye, N. A., Terrat, Y., Shapiro, B. J., Husk, B., Zamyadi, A., Sauvé, S., Prévost, M., & Dorner, S. (2024). The short-term effect of nitrogen on freshwater cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins. Frontiers in Water, 6, 1432183. https://doi.org/10.3389/frwa.2024.1432183 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/frwa.2024.1432183
Li, H., Xu, W., Jin, J., Zhu, X., Yang, Y., Han, D., Liu, H., & Xie, S. (2019a). Effects of dietary carbohydrate and lipid concentrations on growth performance, feed utilization, glucose, and lipid metabolism in two strains of gibel carp. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 6, 165. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2019.00165 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2019.00165
Li, L., Chen, S., Gao, M., Ding, B., Zhang, J., Zhou, Y., Liu, Y., Yang, H., Wu, Q., & Chen, F. (2019b). Acidic conditions induce the accumulation of orange Monascus pigments during liquid-state fermentation of Monascus ruber M7. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 103, 8393–8402. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-019-10114-8 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-019-10114-8
Mackinney, G. (1941). Absorption of light by chlorophyll solutions. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 140(2), 315–322. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0021-9258(18)51320-X DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0021-9258(18)51320-X
Mahdi, R. S., Al-Mashhadani, M. K. H., & Abed, I. J. (2021). Pre-dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) for cultivation of Chlorella sorokiniana MH923013, Coelastrella MH923011, and Coelastrella MH923012. IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, 1076(1), 012025. https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/1076/1/012025 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/1076/1/012025
Markou, G., Vandamme, D., & Muylaert, K. (2014). Microalgal and cyanobacterial cultivation: The supply of nutrients. Water Research, 65, 186–202. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2014.07.025 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2014.07.025
McCluer, R. H. (1963). Methods in carbohydrate chemistry: Volume 1, Analysis and preparation of sugars (R. L. Whistler & M. L. Wolfrom, Eds.). Journal of Chemical Education, 40(5), A394. https://doi.org/10.1021/ed040pA394 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/ed040pA394
Meng, C., Ullah, I., Wu, W., Zhang, Y., Shi, R., Luo, S., Luo, C., Nanda, S., Seleiman, M. F., Jiang, Y., & Huang, W. (2024). EMS-mediated mutagenesis in marigold seeds and its effects on seedling growth and physiology. Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, 93(11), 3029–3038. https://doi.org/10.32604/phyton.2024.057857 DOI: https://doi.org/10.32604/phyton.2024.057857
Mingmin, Z., Dai, J., Ji, X., Li, D., He, Y., Wang, M., Huang, J., & Chen, B. (2021). An integrated semi-continuous culture to treat original swine wastewater and fix carbon dioxide by an indigenous Chlorella vulgaris MBFJNU-1 in an outdoor photobioreactor. Bioresource Technology, 340, 125703. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2021.125703 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2021.125703
Nayaka, S., Toppo, K., & Verma, S. (2017). Adaptation in algae to environmental stress and ecological conditions. In V. Shukla, S. Kumar, & N. Kumar (Eds.), Plant adaptation strategies in changing environment (pp. 103–115). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-6744-0_4 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-6744-0_4
Passy, S. I., & Larson, C. A. (2011). Succession in stream biofilms is an environmentally driven gradient of stress tolerance. Microbial Ecology, 62(2), 414–424. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00248-011-9879-7 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00248-011-9879-7
Pérez-Palacios, T., Ruiz, J., Martín, D., Muriel, E., & Antequera, T. (2008). Comparison of different methods for total lipid quantification in meat and meat products. Food Chemistry, 110(4), 1025–1029. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2008.03.026 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2008.03.026
Raghad, N. M., & Abeer, I. A. (2023). Adsorption of methylene blue from aqueous solution using free and immobilized algae cells. Iraqi Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 54(5), 1387–1397. https://doi.org/10.36103/ijas.v54i5.1839 DOI: https://doi.org/10.36103/ijas.v54i5.1839
Razooki, Z. H., Al-Mashhadani, M. K. H., & Abed, I. J. (2020). Biomaterial composition of the microalga Coelastrella sp. (MH923012): Effect of carbon source. Materials Today: Proceedings, 20, 621–626. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2019.09.200 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2019.09.200
Thepsuthammarat, K., Reungsang, A., & Plangklang, P. (2023). Microalga Coelastrella sp. cultivation on unhydrolyzed molasses-based medium towards the optimization of conditions for growth and biomass production under mixotrophic cultivation. Molecules, 28(8), 3603. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28083603 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28083603
Till, B. J., Reynolds, S. H., Weil, C., Springer, N., Burtner, N., Young, K., Bowers, E., Codomo, C. A., Enns, L. C., Odden, A. R., Greene, E. A., Comai, L., & Henikoff, S. (2004). Discovery of induced point mutations in maize genes by TILLING. BMC Plant Biology, 4, 12. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2229-4-12 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2229-4-12
Torzillo, G., & Vonshak, A. (2013). Environmental stress physiology with reference to mass cultures. In A. Richmond & Q. Hu (Eds.), Handbook of microalgal culture. Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118567166.ch6 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118567166.ch6
Trovão, M., Schüler, L. M., Machado, A., Bombo, G., Navalho, S., Barros, A., & Varela, J. (2022). Random mutagenesis as a promising tool for microalgal strain improvement towards industrial production. Marine Drugs, 20(7), 440. https://doi.org/10.3390/md20070440 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/md20070440
Tschaikner, A., Gärtner, G., & Kofler, W. (2008). Coelastrella aeroterrestrica sp. nov. (Chlorophyta, Scenedesmoideae)—A new, obviously often overlooked aeroterrestrial species. Algological Studies, 128(1), 11–20. https://doi.org/10.1127/1864-1318/2008/0128-0011 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1127/1864-1318/2008/0128-0011
van Dijk, D., & Houba, V. J. G. (2000). Homogeneity and stability of material distributed within the Wageningen evaluating programmes for analytical laboratories. Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis, 31(11–14), 1745–1756. https://doi.org/10.1080/00103620009370534 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00103620009370534
Voelker, T. A., & Davies, H. M. (1994). Alteration of the specificity and regulation of fatty acid synthesis of Escherichia coli by expression of a plant medium-chain acyl-acyl carrier protein thioesterase. Journal of Bacteriology, 176(23), 7320–7327. https://doi.org/10.1128/jb.176.23.7320-7327.1994 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1128/jb.176.23.7320-7327.1994
Zhang, M., Bai, X., Du, Q., Xu, J., Wang, D., Chen, L., Dong, K., Chen, Z., & Yang, J. (2023). The different mechanisms of lipid accumulation in hepatocytes induced by oleic acid/palmitic acid and high-fat diet. Molecules, 28(18), 6714. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28186714 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28186714
Zhu, Z., Sun, J., Fa, Y., Liu, X., & Lindblad, P. (2022). Enhancing microalgal lipid accumulation for biofuel production. Frontiers in Microbiology, 13, 1024441. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2022.1024441 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2022.1024441
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Rasha Kareem Mohammed
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
2.jpg)
