Extracellular release in Chlorella vulgaris culture and the role of bacteria accompanying - algae in this process.

The effect of different concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus on extracellular release was investigated. Phosphorus induced the enhanced extracellular release of metabolites by Chlorella vulgaris. No influence of nitrogen on extracellular release was observed. In the initial stages of C. vulgaris culture the algae release was observed. In the initial stages of C. vulgaris culture the algae release compounds readily assimilated by the accompanying bacteria, hence the observed drop of percentage of extracellular release (PER) in culture medium caused by the bacteria. Both, the glycolic acid and the products of photoassimilation released to the environment in the first stages of cultivation were assimilated by the bacteria accompanying-algae at a similar rate. The ageing of C. vulgaris culture resulted in the accumulation of extracellularly released metabolites and increase of PER. These products were not assimilated by the bacteria present in the algal culture.