Abiotic stress applied to Tetraselmis subcordiformis reveals enhanced metabolic responses and increased production of Omega-3 fatty acids: A Metabolomic approach

The appeal of high value algal metabolites is certain due to their sustainability, low energy and space requirements. Yet, commercial-level production of such products is limited and has the potential to be enhanced. In microalgae Tetraselmis subcordiformis (T. subcordiformis) was subjected to four different stressors and the stress response was recorded in terms of changes in the metabolic profile of the strain. The stressors applied were nitrogen (N-starvation) and phosphorus starvation (P-starvation), high salinity, and cold stress. Although growth of the strain was impacted by application of all stressors, an increase of 34 % and 14.9 % in the protein content was noted for 100 PSU and P-starvation stress. Moreover, nitrogen content increase by 20 % and 5.8 % for 100 PSU and N-starvation stress. While the most common lipids for algae in high salinity and N-starvation stressors were triglycerides with α-linoleic (18:3), linoleic (18:2), and palmitic (16:0) fatty acids. Overall, compared to all stressors applied high salinity of 100 PSU enhanced the overall metabolic profile of T. subcordiformis. [Display omitted] •Abiotic stress response by microalgae Tetraselmis Subcordiformis was investigated.•Exposure to high salinity and nitrogen starvation increased the lipid content of microalgae.•Salinity stress increased protein content and enhanced the lipid quantity and quality.•α-linoleic acid, linoleic acid and palmitic acid were the most prevalent fatty acids under stress.