Improving Biomass and Phycobiliproteins Production in Arthrospira platensis by Ethephon Elicitation

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Department of Biotechnology, Iranian Research Organization for Science and Technology (IROST), Tehran, Iran

10.48308/pae.2026.244058.1140

Abstract

Arthrospira platensis is the most commercially cultivated microalgae with high nutritional value and various health benefits. It is a rich source of valuable protein pigments known as phycobiliproteins, containing antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Investigation of the factors that enhance the production of phycobiliproteins in photosynthetic organisms is essential due to their potential in various industries, including food, cosmetics, and biomedicine. The Phytohormones play critical roles in regulating the growth and development of plants, as well as responses to environmental stresses. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of the phytohormone ethephon (2-chloroethylphosphonic acid), a commonly used plant growth regulator, on the growth, protein content, and the phycobiliproteins production in Arthrospira platensis. In this respect, algae cultures were treated with various concentrations of ethephon for 14 days. Phycobiliproteins were then extracted by multiple freeze-thaw cycles of dried A. platensis biomass in phosphate buffer, and the contents were determined spectrophotometrically. Total soluble protein content was also measured by the Bradford method. Ethephon promoted growth at concentrations of 0.005-0.05 mg/L but inhibited growth at higher concentrations (0.1 and 0.15 mg/L). While all ethephon concentrations increased total soluble protein content, the greatest increase was observed at 0.01 and 0.05 mg/L. Ethephon application also enhanced the accumulation of phycocyanin, allophycocyanin, and phycoerythrin in Arthrospira platensis at all concentrations except at 0.1 and 0.15 mg/L. Notably, 0.005 mg/L ethephon was the most effective treatment, resulting in an approximately twofold increase in phycocyanin content after 14 days of cultivation.  Overall, our results demonstrate that ethephon treatment represents an efficient and cost-effective strategy for enhancing phycobiliprotein production in Arthrospira platensis.

Keywords

References

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Plant, Algae, and Environment
Volume 10, Issue 2
DOi
2026
Pages 28-41

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