Isolation and phylogenetic analysis of Botryococcus braunii (Trebouxiophyceae) from Korean freshwaters = 한국산 Botryococcus braunii (Trebouxiophyceae)의 분리 및 계통분류학적 분석

Abstract

Recently, energy security is one of the most important world-wide issues. Biodiesel derived from microalgae has received much attention as a renewable bioenergy. The green colonial alga, Botryococcous braunii, is characterized by the ability to produce and accumulate large amounts of hydrocarbons and fatty acids. In this study, we have isolated 5 strains of B. braunii from Korean surface waters using a microcapillary-pipetting method and identified them by morphological features and phylogenetic analysis of the 18S rRNA gene. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that 5 strains of B. braunii are placed in the class of Trebouxiophyceae, and strains belong to race A type producing hydrocarbons which are alkadienes and alkatrienes. In addition, we need further studies to find out optimal growth conditions for producing biodiesel.