ISOLATION, MOLECULAR IDENTIFICATION AND HYDROCARBON ANALYSIS OF MICROALGAE FROM PADDY FIELDS OF RASIPURAM, NAMAKKAL

Background: Microalgae are cell factories driven from sunlight to facilitate change in carbon dioxide to probable algal biofuels, feeds, foods and high-value products of bioactive. Photosynthesis of microalgae has dropping the release of carbon dioxide into the ambiance and producing technologically priceless compounds.

Aim: In the present study, to isolate and identify the Cyanobacteria from different paddy fields and to study the molecular identification and to determine the hydrocarbons of the isolate.

Materials and Methods: The isolates were identified by microscopy. Biochemical categorization viz chlorophyll, carotenoids and phycobilins of the isolates were deliberated. The isolate was identified based on the molecular (16s rRNA) analysis. The phylogenetic tree was constituted using the Neighbor-joining process and hydrocarbons were identified by GCMS.

Results: Predominant genera of Oscillatoria sp., Phormidium sp., Anabaena sp., Apanocapsa sp. and Chrococcus sp. were secluded from paddy fields of Rasipuram, Namakkal District, Tamilnadu, India. The individual colonies were in the range of 5.2 to 9.6µm broad, and pale blue-green cells. The microalgae were identified microscopically as Oscillatoria earlei. Chlorophyll content was recorded in an improved tendency from the first week to the fourth week. Carotenoids were found in the second week to the fourth week. C-Phycocyanin was elevated in the first week. But Phycoerythrin and Allophycocyanin content showed utmost in first week only. The isolate was identified based on the molecular detection by 16s rRNA study was done using the NCBI BLAST and showed 99% similarities with the reported 16s rRNA sequence of O. earlei. The hydrocarbon content of O. earlei was analyzed by GC-MS. Major hydrocarbons of the isolate were 2,4-Ditert-butyl-phenol, Pthalic acid, mono-(2-ethylhexyl) ester and n-Heptadecane.

Conclusion: Microalgae are a cost-effective option for biodiesel production, since its availability, economical, easy to cultivate and reduces Carbon dioxide pollution in the environment. Algal biomass is one of the superior sources of energy.