Metabolic response of the halotolerant green alga Dunaliella bardawil to Nitrogen:Phosphorus ratios in batch culture

The effect of N/P ratios and salinity on the growth as well as some metabolic activities by the halotolerant green alga Dunaliella bardawil were followed. In nutrient-deficient media (N-0 or P-0) growth was retarded and cells accumulated large amounts of carotene, glycerol and saccharides while the contents of protein and amino acids were significantly decreased. In contrast, in nutrient-enriched media (N-5 and/or P-5), the growth and protein content in addition to the oxygen evolution were significantly increased at the expense of glycerol and saccharide content.