Heterotrophic Culture of a Blue-Green Alga, Tolypothrix Tenuis I

Heterotrophic growth of a blue-green alga, Tolypothrix tenuis, was investigated with respect to the effects of carbon and nitrogen sources. Maximal growth of the alga was obtained when casamino acids and glucose were used simultaneously as N-source and C- and/or energy source. Certain amino acids, such as arginine and phenylalnine, were also found to be utilizable as sole sources of nitrogen. It was revealed that during the course of heterotrophic growth in the dark, formation of chlorophyll a, carotenoids and phycocyanin took place; no increase in phycoerythrin content was ever detected. On the basis of the results obtained, suitable conditions for heterotropic culture of blue-green algae are recommended.