PHYSIOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL-STUDIES ON AN ACID-TOLERANT CHLORELLA-VULGARIS UNDER COPPER STRESS

This study compared the growth, photosynthesis, electron transport, ATP content, NO3- and NH4+ uptake, Na+ and K+ loss, nitrate reductase and ATPase activities of an acid-tolerant strain and a wild-type strain of Chlorella vulgaris exposed to Cu at varied pHs (pH 6.8, 5.0, 4.0 and 3.5). A general reduction in growth, NH4+ uptake, photosynthesis and nitrate reductase activity of both the strains was noticed at decreasing pH. In contrast, the acid-tolerant strain depicted an increased NO3- uptake, insignificant Na+, K+ loss and superactive ATPase at decreasing pH. Both pH and Cu produced a non-competitive inhibition of NO3- uptake. An increase in V-max of ATPase of acid-tolerant Chlorella and inhibition of the V-max of its wild-type strain at decreasing pH was noticed. Though the magnitude of Cu toxicity was significantly low in tolerant strain, a significant negative correlation (r=-0.99, p<0.01) of Cu uptake with acid pH was noticed. The acid-tolerant Chlorella was less sensitive to Cu and physiologically more efficient than the wild type. Presence of a superactive ATPase and change in membrane permeability are considered responsible for acid tolerance in Chlorella.