Study of the changes in the growth, protein, and bioactive profile of Chlorella emersonii KJ725233 in response to sodium and ammonium nitrate

Chlorella emersonii KJ725233 is a non-fastidious microalga isolated from the western regions of Maharashtra, India. The alterations in its chlorophyll, protein, and antioxidant content in response to cationic stress were studied. Chlorella emersonii KJ725233 (CEK) was subjected to NaNO3 and NH4 (NO3) 2 at concentrations equivalent to 0.9 g/l (1×) and 1.8 g/l (2×) in the cultivation media. Qualitative alterations in the bioactives of the microalga were identified by gas chromatography–high-resolution mass spectrometry (GC-HRMS), while the protein, chlorophyll, and antioxidant manipulations were spectrophotometrically quantified. Doubling of the protein content was observed when CEK was grown in 1× NH4 +, whereas in 2× NH4 +, chlorosis was significant. 2× NH4 +