COMPARATIVE GROWTH ANALYSIS OF CYANOBACTERIA FROM DIVERSE HABITATS WITH REFERENCE TO PIGMENTS

Cyanobacteria are a gram-negative group of microorganisms with unique features and found in diverse conditions of the environment. These tiny bio-factories are rich in pigment molecules like chlorophylls, carotenoids and phycobiliproteins. Studies on physiological and biochemical characteristics of different cyanobacterial strains will not only help to determine their biotechnological potential but also determine and interpret the appropriate growth conditions of these tiny microorganisms in their natural habitat. This paper focuses on the growth, chlorophyll, carotenoid and phycobilin production in two freshwaters (Anabaena cylindrica and Anabaena PCC7120), one halotolerant (Anabaena KP737864) and two marine cyanobacterial strains (Synechococcus BDUSM-13 and Nostoc BDUMM-70). Significant differences were observed among the strains with regard to their pigments. Maximum chlorophyll and phycobiliprotein content were observed on the 14^th day of cultivation in all strains. The filamentous cyanobacteria Anabaena cylindrica recorded maximum production of phycocyanin, marine Synechococcus BDUSM-13 produced maximum phycoerythrin (17.33 µg/ml). Anabaena KP737864 was reported to acquire more amount of allophycocyanin (12.66 µg/ml) of phycobiliproteins.