engleski

Distinguishing algal cell species by quartz crystal microbalance

The study aimed to examine the effect of the physico-morphological properties of algal cells on binding efficiency to a surface modified sensor of a quartz microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D). Two unicellular algae were tested ; Cylindrotheca closterium encased with an organosilicate cell wall and Dunaliella tertiolecta as wall-less species. Algal cells were grown at three selected temperatures to examine their temperature tolerance. We found no correlation of the concentration of algae in the solution with the number of algae bound to the sensor. However, the correlation of this number to the resonant frequency shift of the sensor was confirmed. The viscoelastic properties (rigidity) of algae were represented by the dissipation factor shift of the sensor normalized by the frequency shift – i.e. adhered mass of algae. We found that the QCM-D method may distinguish the viscoelastic properties of the studied species in accordance with their reported mechanical properties. However, the values vary widely and the results for the two species overlap which could be related to cell age and physiological activity. Our results could contribute to a better understanding of interactions between algae and substrate and the development of QCM-D devices towards biological research methods.

microalgae, quartz microbalance, viscoelasticity

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