algae(spirulina) by Sandipayan Dutta

Seminar on Algae
Designed by

 Algae (singular:Alga) belong to the
Kingdom Protista
 Algae are eukaryotes (cells have organelles)
 Algae are mostly photosynthetic, like plants:
– Have photosynthetic pigments
– Many accessory pigments – blue, red, brown, gold
 Require moist environments because they lack a waxy cuticle
(cuticle prevents water loss in terrestrial plants)

 Can be microscopic or macroscopic: size ranges
from bacteria size to 50 meters long!
 Lack vascular (conducting) tissues – No xylem
or phloem
 No true roots, stems or leaves
 Modes of reproduction: Both sexual and
asexual.
 Study of Algae known as “algology” or
“phycology” derived from Greek word phykos,
meaning seaweeds.

Eukaryotic Algae: Protists
single celled, possess nuclear membrane, aquatic
photoautotrophs
Monera Protista Fungi
Plantae Animalia
Three domain system:
Eu-
bacteria
Archae-
bacteria
E U K A R Y A

All algae are eukaryotic organisms, their contain
chloroplast. There are many shape of chloroplast .
Spherical, bowl-shaped, and belt-shaped.
The main pigments
in algae is chlorophyll.
ADDITIONAL PIGMENTS
Carotene Phycobilin
Fucoxanthin
(Brownish)
Xantophylls
(Golden)
Phycocyanin
(Bluish)
Phycoerythrin
(Reddish)

REPRODUCTION
Asexual Sexual
Binary Fission Spore Formation
Fragmentation

REPRODUCTION
Binary Fission occurs only in unicellular algae. Such as Chlorella and Euglena.
A mother cell divided into two to form two identical daughter cells.

REPRODUCTION
Fragmentation
Fragmentation occurs only in multicellular filamentous and thallus algae. Such as
Spirogyra, Laminaria and Sargassum

REPRODUCTION
APLANOSPORE
ZOOSPORE
Red algae produce
monospores (walled,
nonflagellate, spherical
cells) that are carried by
water currents and upon
germination produce a new
organism. Some green algae
produce nonmotile spores
called aplanospores.
Zoospores
(motile)lack true
cell walls and bear
one or more
flagella. These
flagella allow
zoospores to swim
to a favourable
environment.
They are formed
through replication by simple
cell development separated by
an individual wall from the
parental cell .

REPRODUCTION
© Copyright. Sandipayan Dutta. 2013. All
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• Cyanophyta: Blue-green or cyanobacteria.
• Prokaryotic. Marine, Fresh Water and terrestrial.
• Pyrrophyta, Chrysophyta, Euglenophyta: Marine and
Fresh Water phytoplankton – Photosynthetic Protists.
• Diatoms
• Dinoflagellates
• Rhodophyta: Red algae. Mostly marine.
• Phaeophyta: Brown algae. Mostly marine.
• Chlorophyta: Green algae. Marine, FW and terrestrial.

Chlorophyta(green algae)
• Morphology
Unicellular to multicellular
• Pigments
Chlorophylls a & b.
• Storage material
Starch(α-1,4-glucan), sucrose.
• Cell wall
Cellulose
• Habitats
Fresh water, soil, few marine species.
• Example:
Chlamydomonas. Chlamydomonas at 1000x
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Phaeophyta(brown algae)
• Morphology
Filamentous to leafy occasionally
massive & plant like.
• Pigments
Chlorophylls a & c, xanthophylls.
Laminarin(ß-1,3-glucan), mannitol.
• Cell wall
Cellulose
• Habitats
marine species.
• Example:
laminaria.

Rhodophyta(red algae)
• Morphology
Unicellular, filamentous to leafy.
• Pigments
Chlorophylls a, d, phycocyanin,
phycoerythrin.
Floridian starch(α-1,4-glucan &
α-1,6-glucan)
• Cell wall
Cellulose
• Habitats
marine species.
• Example:
Polysiphonia

Euglenophyta(Euglenoids)
• Morphology
Unicellular , flagellated
• Pigments
Chlorophylls a & b.
Paramylon(ß-1,3-glucan)
• Cell wall
Absence of cell wall.
• Habitats
Fresh water, soil,
few marine species.
• Example:
Euglena
Chlamydomonas & Euglena viridis
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• Morphology
Unicellular
• Pigments
Chlorophylls a & c.
Chrysolaminarin & oils(lipids)
• Cell wall
Two overlapping components
made up of silica.
• Habitats
Fresh water, soil, marine.
• Example:
Nitzschia
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Dinoflagellata(Dianoflagellates)
• Morphology
Unicellular, Flagellated.
• Pigments
Chlorophylls a & c, xanthophylls
(peridin)
Starch(α-1,4-glucan).
• Cell wall
Cellulose
• Habitats
marine species.
• Example:
Gonyaulax pfiesteria.

- In water the problem is that red and violet wavelengths do not
penetrate the vertical column very well. So Chlorophylls do not work
well at greater depths. Algae that inhabit greater depths do so with the
help of accessory pigments, these algae take on a variety of colours.
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Where do Algae live?
• Algae most commonly found in aquatic
habitat(fresh, marine or brackish water).
• In which they may suspended(planktonic)
• Or attached & living on the bottom of
aquatic habitat(benthic).
• Few live at the water-atmosphere
interface(neustonic).
• Some grow on moist soil or on bark &
leaves of trees.
• Some algae grow as endosymbionts withn
plants.
• Green algae & cyanobacteria coexist with
fungi to form Lichens.
Marine habitats:
seaweeds, phytoplankton
Freshwater habitats:
streams, rivers, lakes and ponds
Terrestrial habitats:
stone walls, tree bark, leaves, in lichens, on snow
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How do algae function?
Photoautotrophs: 6C02 + 6H20  C6H1206 + O2
– use carbon, light, and water
– produce chemical energy (carbohydrates)
and produce O2 as a by-product.
• Basic storage products: carbohydrates as
starch or converted to fats as oil
• Require nutrients: Nitrogen, Phosphorous
and minerals.
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• Primary producers, basis of food webs,
“ ”
• Pioneer Species: on rocky shores, mudflats, hot
springs, lichen communities, 'snow algae'
• O2 production and carbon fixation in aquatic
habitats.
• Rare autotrophic organisms in extreme habitats.
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Why are ALGAE important?
Ecological importance of algae
a) Production of Oxygen as ‘by-product’ of
photosynthesis:
• All aerobic heterotrophic organisms require O2,
• e.g. fungi and animals need O2, to run cellular
respiration to stay alive
b) Production of biomass:
autotrophic organisms - represent the base of the food chain/web,
particularly in aquatic environments.
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1. Red tides, other algal blooms
2. Hot springs
3. Kelp forests
4. Rocky shore ecology
5. Aquaculture
1
2
3
4
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Algal diversity
• Algae ARE NOT a single phylogenetic grouping, but
give rise to several independent evolutionary lines.
Our focus is on “CHLOROPHYTA” as it is believed to
give rise to the terrestrial plants.
• Very diverse, very well adapted to certain
environments,
– Range from unicellular,  colonial 
multicellular
– e.g. marine, freshwater, terrestrial;
– often extreme habitats
CHLOROPHYTES share Similarities to true
plants – Same two chlorophylls a and b,
Store products of photosynthesis as
starch, cell wall primarily made of
cellulose
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Why make it a fuel?
• Algae can be used to make biodiesel
• Produces large amounts oil
– When compared to terrestrial crops grown for the same
purpose
– Algae contain anywhere between 2% and 40% of
lipids/oils by weight
– Once harvested, this oil can be converted into fuels for
transportation, aviation or heating
• High growth rate and easy to grow
– Warm Seasons
• Amphora sp.
• Tetraselmis suecica
– Cold Seasons
• Monoraphidium minutum
– Use of diatoms and green algae
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• Important characteristics of Algae
– High % of total biomass is oil
– Maintains a high % of oil even under stress
– Compatible with the area climate
Botryococcus braunii
Converts 61% of its biomass
into oil
86% of it is long chain
hydrocarbons
Drops to only 31% oil under
stress
Grows best between 22-25ºC
(71-77°F)
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Harvesting Biodiesel
• Microalgae have much faster growth-rates than terrestrial crops
• Algal-oil processes into biodiesel as easily as oil derived from land-
based crops
• Use microalgae
– Less complex structure
– Faster growing rate
– High oil content
• How to harvest
– Open-pond systems
• Can be difficult
• Type of algae has to be hardy
• Can be less hardy and grow slower
– Use Bioreactor Tubes
– Use existing infrastructures
• Provides the raw materials for the system, such as CO2 and nutrients
• Changes those wastes into resources.
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How to get oil
• Expeller/Press
– Algae is dried
– Oil content can be "pressed" out with an oil press
– Extracts 70-75% of the oils out of algae
• Hexane Solvent Method
– Uses chemicals (such as hexane and methanol)
– Can be harmful and explosive
– Cold press & hexane solvent = extract 95% of oil
• Supercritical Fluid Extraction
– CO2 is liquefied under pressure and heated to the point that it
has the properties of both a liquid and gas
– This liquefied fluid then acts as the solvent in extracting the oil
– Can Extract almost 100% of the oils
– Expensive equipment
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Oil Yield
Gallons of Oil per Acre per Year
– Corn . . . . . . . 15
– Soybeans . . . .48
– Safflower. . . . . 83
– Sunflower . . . 102
– Rapeseed. . . 127
– Oil Palm . . . . 635
– Micro Algae . .1850 [based on actual biomass yields]
– Micro Algae . .5000-15000 [theoretical laboratory yield]
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Other Uses
• Hydrogen
– Algae can be grown to
produce hydrogen
• Discovered first in
1939 by Hans
Gaffrom
• Late 1990’s it was
found that if sulfur
deprived, algae will
produce hydrogen
• Biomass
– Algae can be grown to
produce biomass
• Burned to produce
heat and electricity
• Can still produce
greenhouse gases
Biomass Yield
Metric Tons per Hectare per Year
Algae.....51.1 [USA average, 1978]
Sugarcane.....79.2 [Brazilian average,
2005]
Sorghum.....70 [India average, 2005]
Cassava.....65 [Nigeria average, 1985]
Oil palm.....50 [Global average, 2005]
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Blue green algae

It is blue green algae.
It is a simple, one-celled form of algae, that thrives in warm,
alkaline fresh water bodies.
The name “Spirulina” was derived
form latin word for ‘helix’ or ‘spiral’.
Commercially produced from two species of
cyanobacteria :
Arthospira platensis & Arthospira maxicana.
There are more than 39 species but for its
composition stability and balance of
nutrients, Arthospira spirulina platensis is the
species most used in developing countries
cultures.
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A German scientist, Dr. discovered
the existence of a spiral shaped algae & named it Spirulina.
Dr. Clement of France in 1962 found that the Ganimou/Kanembu
people living around lake Chades in Africa had stronger bodies than
Other civilized people at that time, despite poor living conditions &
limited resources.
Ganimou people eat blue green algae found floating on the lakes surface.
This algae was Spirulina.
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Domain :Bacteria
Kingdom : Archaeplastida
Division : Cyanobacteria
Class : Cyanophyceae
Order : Oscillatoriales
Family : Pseudanabaenaceae
Subfamily : Spirulinoideae
Genus : Spirulina
Scientific name: Arthrospira
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Characteristics of Spirulina
• Occurrence: Phytoplankton, freshwater/brakish water
• Thallus: Trichome, gelatinous substance
• Plant body: Unicellular, long, spiral, twisted, without
mucilaginous sheath.
• Active rotational movement present.
• Cell wall is multi-layered but lacks cellulose.
• Outer sheath composed of polysaccharide.
• Pseudo vacuole present leads to buoyancy.
• Reserved food is glycogen.
• Reproduction by fragmentation/cell division, true sexual
reproduction absent.
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Spirulina offers remarkable health benefits for multiple
reasons. It is reach in iron & protein and also ß-carotene
that can overcome eye problems caused by vitamin A
deficiency. The protein & vitamin B-complex makes a major
nutritional improvement. It is excellence source for essential
fatty acid, Gamma linoleic acid(GLA), excepts for mother milk,
Which helps to regulate the entire hormone system.
Spirulina also increases breast milk by stimulating lactiferous
glands.
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The Health Benefits of Spirulina Includes:-
 Boost the Immune System
 Obesity Cure
 Improve Digestion
 Reduce fatigue
 Build Endurance
 Natural Detoxifier
 Boost Energy Levels
 Control Appetite
 Spirulina maintains a healthy heart
 Support the Liver and Kidneys
 Reduce Inflammation
 Anti-Allergies
 Skin Care Natural Supplement
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 Spirulina is one of the ancient
natural anti-aging products.
 It increases antioxidant protection,
which fights the aging process.
 Maybe it’s a bit weird to believe
that microalgae would slow down
your normal aging process,
but it’s a fact and it was proved.
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Spirulina is used as slimming agent in USA.
The phenylalanine present in spirulina is said to signal the
brain to stop hunger pangs leading to reduction in food
uptake.
Spirulina is used in balms & anti-wrinkle creams. It helps in
skin metabolism, Cell regeneration and skin secretion.
Spirulina is used in Japan as a safe bio-lipstic & eyeliner.
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Aqueous extracts of Spirulina inhibit the replication of the HIV-1
virus in human T-cells of the immune system, mononuclear blood
cells and langerhans cells of the pancreas.
Japanese scientists discovered an anti-viral compound in Spirulina
called Calcium Spirulina.
Calcium Spirulina was found to be active against numerous viruses,
including influenza, herpes & HIV.
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Heavy Metals
According to the Medline Plus, some spirulina preparations may contain heavy metals
such as lead, cadmium, arsenic and mercury. According to a study published in the
May 2007 issue of the "International Journal of Physical Sciences,"
The term"heavy metal" describes any metallic element characterized by its high density
and toxicity even at very low concentrations.
PHENYLKETONURIA
(Phenylketonuria describes a medical condition characterized by the deficiency in the
enzyme that metabolizes phenylalanine)
As mentioned by the University of Maryland Medical center, if you have problems with
their phenylalanine metabolism, you must avoid taking foods containing this amino acid.
Spirulina contains rich amounts of amino acids, including phenylalanine; therefore,
it should be avoided by patients with phenylketonuria.
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DISADVANTAGES OF SPIRULINA contd..
Drug Interaction
Spirulina may negatively interactive with your medications taken to
suppress the immune-system, such as seen with cancer patients.
Medline Plus reports that this can lead to the decreased effectiveness
of the said medications. Therefore, patients who are taking
immunosuppressant should never take spirulina supplements.
WORSENING OF AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE
Autoimmune disease refers to the over-activity of the
immune system resulting in the destruction of normal
tissues within the body. Avoid taking spirulina, since it can
further stimulate the immune system and make the
condition much worse, according to the University of
Maryland Medical Center.
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70% to 80% of all the oxygen we breathe comes from marine algae! Add on the algae
oxygen in freshwater and you get a total of about 90% OF ALL THE WORLDS,
OXYGEN IS MADE BY ALGAE!
Not only do algae provide much of the Earth's oxygen, they also are the base for
almost all marine life, including seaweed.
Can algae harm us and other species?
All living things, including humans produce waste products, which can be dangerous if
they are in large concentrations.
.
High levels of blue green algae produce enough waste products,
which can cause considerable health problems if they are drunk by
humans and other animals
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1. www.nationalalgaeassociation.com
2. www.seaweed.ie/algae/
3. www.algaebase.org
4. www.allaboutalgae.com
5. www.google.com
6. www.youtube.com
7. BROCK Biology of organisms
8. http://www.sciencedirect.com
9. Pelczar,Chan,Krieg microbiology
10.Prescott,Harley,klein microbiology
11. http://www.iimsam.org/
12. http://www.livestrong.com
13.A text book of basic & applied microbiology
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Acknowledgement
My special thanks to
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algae(spirulina) by Sandipayan Dutta

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