ALGAL POPULATION AND AUXOTROPHIC ADAPTATION IN A SUGAR REFINERY WASTEWATER ENVIRONMENT

Abstract

This study was conducted with algae living in a sugar refinery wastewater environment. Algae common in organic-polluted environments such as Chlorella sp., and Scenedesmus quadricauda were found, along with some other species not so common in this type of environment. Most species
were isolated and the resulting axenic cultures were used to establish their heterotrophic potential with different organic compounds found in this type of habitat. Chlorella sp., showed the best adaptive pattern since it had adapted its glucose transport system to operate by facilitated diffusion. It
exhibited a higher affinity than other systems of glucose facilitated diffusion and also a higher V_m, which was obtained at about the sugar concentration occurring in its natural habitat. Moreover, Chlorella sp., could increase its glucose uptake rate under some specific conditions of growth.