MICROALGAE OF THE BOSQUE AZUL LAKE, MONTEBELLO, CHIAPAS, FIRST REPORT OF Limnothrix planctonica FOR MÉXICO
Main Article Content
Keywords
Microalgae, Limnothrix planctonica, Pectinodesmus pectinatus, Isolation, identification, freshwater.
Abstract
Objective: To identify microalgae morphologically from Bosque Azul Lake, Montebello, Chiapas.
Design/methodology/approach: The samples were collected in April 2018 using a conical network by horizontal dragging for five minutes at 30 cm below the water surface. The samples were inoculated in test tubes in Guillard F/2 and BBM culture media to observe the presence of microalgae under a 10X and 40X microscope lenses. For the isolation, striation technique and serial dilutions in relation to 1:10 was applied, white LED lamps of 18 watts were used as a source of illumination, a photoperiod of 12:12 and a temperature of 25 °C?2. For the morphological identification, semipermanent preparations were made for observation in two types of microscope: one of phase contrast and another of differential interference (DIC) in 20X, 40X and 100X lenses. The images obtained were compared with specialized bibliography according to their microalgal group for morphological identification.
Results: It was possible to isolate and morphologically identify two microorganisms from the Bosque Azul lake, belonging to the Lagunas de Montebello National Park, a Pectinodesmus pectinatus microalgae and a cyanobacterium Limnothrix planctonica.
Limitations of the study/implications: It is necessary to investigate the implications of these microalgae groups in the trophic state of the Bosque Azul lake, as well as the possible toxicity that Limnothrix planctónica may cause in the lake fish’s.
Findings/conclusions: There are reports of lipid accumulation in Pectinodesmus pectinatus that could be used for the production of biofuels such as biodiesel. In the other hand, Limnothrix planktonic has been reported as a producer of metabolites with biotechnological potential in the production of lipids, pigments, carbohydrates and exopolysaccharides. Both microorganisms are the first reports in Chiapas and in the case of Limnothrix planctónica, the first report in Mexico.
