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Influence of light, water motion, and stocking density on the growth and pigment content of Halymenia durvillei (Rhodophyceae) under laboratory conditions

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Abstract

The tropical red seaweed Halymenia durvillei Bory de Saint Vincent is a potential source of the high-value pigments, r-phycoerythrin (RPE) and r-phycocyanin (RPC). The unique properties of these pigments find many applications—from food to cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and biomedical research. This study aimed to improve the land-based culture technology of H. durvillei by determining the appropriate combination of light, water motion, and stocking density that would result in high growth performance and high RPE and RPC content. Combinations of two light levels (full light, 100% and reduced light, 67%), two water motion levels (low and moderate), and three stocking densities (50, 100, and 200 g) were studied using 64.5-L glass tanks with flow-through seawater and aeration systems at the outdoor land-based seaweed nursery in Bolinao, Pangasinan, Philippines. After 6 weeks of culture, growth performance (growth rate and productivity) of H. durvillei and phycobiliprotein content were best under a combination of full light (100%), moderate water motion, and 50-g stocking density. The generally low light regime during the experimental period, which coincided with the cold, dry season characterized by shorter days and overcast skies, may have influenced H. durvillei to maximize the use of available resources such as light and possible increased nutrient availability from water motion to promote growth and phycobiliprotein synthesis. Treatments with low stocking densities generally showed satisfactory growth and phycobiliprotein content. This study provides groundwork for future research into mechanisms by which these and other factors affect the growth and physiology of H. durvillei in culture.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank all those who have kindly provided their valuable expertise and assistance during the study, specifically Dr. Marco Nemesio Montaño for the consultations on pigment analysis and use of his laboratory; Norchel Gomez for the assistance with the pigment analysis; Jerry Arboleda, Marilyn Dayao, and Ace Guerta for the technical assistance; and Dr. Wilfredo H. Uy for his valuable comments. The authors are also sincerely grateful to the reviewers of this paper who significantly improved the manuscript.

Data availability (data transparency)

The datasets analyzed during the current study are available with some restrictions from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Funding

This study was supported by a thesis grant (BML-MSC-17-01) from the Bolinao Marine Laboratory of The Marine Science Institute, University of the Philippines, and the Science Education Institute of the Department of Science and Technology of the Philippines.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Marine Science Institute, College of Science, P. Velasquez St., University of the Philippines Diliman, 1101, Quezon City, Philippines

    Najeen Arabelle M. Rula, Edna T. Ganzon-Fortes, Ma. Josefa R. Pante & Gavino C. Trono Jr.

  2. Verde Island Passage Center for Oceanographic Research and Aquatic Life Sciences and College of Agriculture and Forestry, Batangas State University, 4229, Lobo, Batangas, Philippines

    Najeen Arabelle M. Rula

  3. College of Arts and Sciences, Batangas State University, Rizal Avenue, 4200, Batangas City, Batangas, Philippines

    Najeen Arabelle M. Rula

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  1. Najeen Arabelle M. Rula
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Correspondence to Najeen Arabelle M. Rula.

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Rula, N.A.M., Ganzon-Fortes, E.T., Pante, M.R. et al. Influence of light, water motion, and stocking density on the growth and pigment content of Halymenia durvillei (Rhodophyceae) under laboratory conditions. J Appl Phycol 33, 2367–2377 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-021-02474-4

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