Some naphthalenesulfonic acids as sulfur sources for the green microalga, Scenedesmus obliquus

Scenedesmus obliquus is capable of utilising various naphthalenesulfonic acids, including disulfonic acids, as sources of sulfur. After precultivation in sulfate medium, the adaptation to the naphthalene sulfonates was followed, and the growth rate of the adapted algae was determined. The photosynthetic inhibition of the products, 1-naphthol and 2-naphthol, was measured. The loss of naphthols by physico-chemical processes was recorded. Desulfonation rates were calculated.