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The survival wisdom of microalgae: How do they adjust their chemical composition in harsh environments?
In nature, microalgae, seemingly inconspicuous organisms, play a vital role. These microalgae are photosynthetic organisms that can grow freely in water and have amazing adaptability to environmental changes. The amazing fact is that microalgae contribute about half of the global oxygen production and also use carbon dioxide for photosynthetic growth, thereby promoting the earth's ecological cycle.
"Microalgae and blue-green bacteria together constitute phytoplankton and are the leaders of ocean photosynthesis."
Microalgae occupy a fundamental position in the food chain, providing the energy needed by all other organisms. However, the chemical composition of microalgae is not static and can be adjusted very efficiently as different species and their growth environments change. Particularly in phosphorus-deficient environments, some microalgae are capable of replacing phospholipids with non-phosphorus membrane lipids, an amazing adaptation.
The growth process of microalgae is affected by a variety of environmental factors, including temperature, light, pH value, carbon dioxide supply, salinity and nutrients. By changing the conditions of these factors, microalgae are able to accumulate desired products, which makes microalgae have great potential for applications in biotechnology and other fields.
"Microalgae can effectively influence predator choices through chemical signals and play an important role in defense and avoidance of predation."
Different microalgae types have diverse functions in ecosystems, especially in aquaculture. Many filter-feeding animals, such as bivalve molluscs, mainly feed on microalgae. In addition, the symbiotic relationship formed between microalgae and host organisms not only supports the growth of the host, but also brings important nutrient cycles to the surrounding environment.
Omega-3 fatty acids derived from microalgae are gaining more and more attention in healthy diets. While fish are known for their omega-3-rich oils, they actually accumulate this nutrient by consuming microalgae. Therefore, direct intake of omega-3 fatty acids from microalgae is also a practical option for the human diet.
“Because microalgae can grow on non-cultivated land, this makes microalgae an alternative protein source for humans and livestock.”
In addition to providing protein, microalgae produce many other valuable compounds, including pigments, enzymes and lipids. In the food industry, microalgae proteins are viewed as a potential alternative to animal proteins to meet the increasing global demand for protein.
There are now many commercial cultivation systems for the cultivation of microalgae. These systems are used not only in human nutrition but also in biofuels, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and biofertilizers. However, the commercial viability of microalgae products still faces bottlenecks such as low cell density.
To overcome these challenges, researchers are exploring the main factors for a successful microalgae culture system, such as the geometry and scale of the culture system, the intensity of light, the concentration of carbon dioxide and nutrient levels, all of which have a direct impact on the production of microalgae. Influence.
With the development of science and technology, the potential of microalgae has received more and more attention. In the future, we may witness these small organisms playing a more critical role in meeting environmental challenges. In the face of a rapidly changing climate and increasing energy demand, can microalgae become the key to future ecological protection and resource utilization?
