J. Algal Biomass Utln. 2009, 1 (1): 102 – 106
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ON OCCURRENCE OF THE GENUS PORPHYRIDIUM NAGELI:
NEW TO INDIA
M. S. Gaikwad, B. G. Meshram and B. B. Chaugule*
Department of Botany, University of Pune, Ganeshkhind, Pune- 411 007, India
E-mail:- mahadev.gaikwad999@gmail.com, balu.meshram@gmail.com,
chaugule@unipune.ernet.in
Abstract
The present communication deals with commercially important fresh water red alga namely
Porphyridium purpureum (Bory de Saint Vincet) Ross in Drew and Ross. The alga was collected
from Pune (Maharashtra), India on several occasions from moist soils. Detailed morphological
and reproductive features are described along with information on taxonomic status of the
species in the genus. This is the first report of the genus Porphyridium from India.
Keywords: Porphyridium purpureum, Rhodophyta, First report, India.
* Corresponding author: B. B. Chaugule , Tel +91-20-25601441,
E-mail chaugule@unipune.ernet.in
Introduction
The microalga Porphyridium is a
member of the division Rhodophyta having
therapeutical and nutraceutical applications.
The alga has been used biotechnologically
for the production of pigments,
polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), lipids
and polysaccharides (Wang et al., 2007). In
addition the alga is extensively used in
genetical, physiological and biochemical
studies (Barsanti and Gualtieri, 2006). The
genus Porphyridium was first reported and
described by Nageli in 1849. Although
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Kumano (2000) mentioned the genus as
having worldwide distribution from shady
and eutrophic places, it has not been
reported so far from India even though
habitats promoting occurrence of this alga
are not rare.
Materials and Methods
The alga was collected on several
occasions from moist soils in Pune
(Maharashtra), India. The fresh material was
brought to the laboratory and used for
morphological observations and for
microphotography using Olympus
microscope (BX-40). In addition the
material was used for isolation and
maintaining it in laboratory culture
following methods described in
Venkataraman (1969) and Andersen (2005).
Part of the material was preserved in 4 %
formalin.
Results
The alga was growing on the moist
soils along with other algae in the Regional
Fruit Research Centre, Pune giving red
colouration to the soils and forming
extensive mucilaginous patches (fig. 1). The
younger patches were shining blood red in
colouration turning brick red as soils dry.
The alga was basically unicellular in nature
having tendency to form aggregated masses
within mucilaginous cover leading to
formation of irregular colonies (Fig. 2).The
cells were globular in shape and contained
distinctly star shaped chloroplast with a
pyrenoid in the centre (Fig. 3). As
mentioned by Vonshak (1992) amorphous
mucilaginous material secreated by the cell
forming a capsule around it could be easily
seen. In addition to individual sheath cells
are also remain embedded in common
mucilaginous envelop (Fig. 4). The
diameter of the cells varied from 6-12 µm.
The cells were observed to multiply by
simple division as inferred from dumbbell
shaped dividing cells (Fig. 5 arrow). Among
the various media tried the alga exhibited its
survival and growth in Koch and ASW
media.
Discussion
In its general morphology the alga
collected resembles to the genus
Porphyridium (Kylin, 1956). The genus
Porphyridium is with species whose
nomenclature is in unresolved status. Ott
(1972) in his review on the synonyms and
the taxonomic positions of Porphyridium
recognized 5 species namely P. purpureum
(Bory de Saint Vincet) Ross in Drew and
Ross, P. aerugineum Geitler, P. sordidum
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Geitler, P. violaceum Kornmann and P.
griseum Geitler. According to Ott (loc. cit.)
these species could be separated from one
another by visual colour of plastid. However
in ‘Algaebase’ (2009) only three species
have been currently accepted taxonomically
as P. aerugineum, P. sordidum and P.
purpureum. The Pune Porphyridium in its
colour, dimensions, nature of chloroplast,
position of pyrenoid and mode of
reproduction resembles to P. purpureum
hence it is referred to that species. Fresnel et
al. (1989) remarked that P. purpureum is a
euryhaline alga. The Pune Porphyridium has
exhibited its ability to grow in a medium
containing salt concentration up to 30 gm/lit
confirming observations of Fresnel et al.
(loc. cit.). The present report of the genus is
the first record on the occurrence of
Porphyridium in India.
Acknowledgments
Authors are thankful to UGC for
providing fund to establish
microphotography facility in the Department
and to the Head, Department of Botany,
University of Pune, Pune for providing
necessary facilities.
References
Andersen, R. A. & M. Kawachi 2005
Traditional microalgae isolation techniques.
In R. A. Andersen (Ed.), Algal culturing
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Fresnel, J., C. Billard, F. Hindak & B.
Pekarkova 1989 New observations on
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Plate 1: Porphyridium purpureum (Bory de Saint Vincet) Ross in Drew and Ross.
Fig.1: Habit of the alga: red-blood colored patches on soil; Fig.2: Aggregated mass of cells.
Fig.3: Magnified view of cells showing axile star shaped chloroplast with pyrenoids in the
center; Fig. 4: Phase contrast picture of the cells to show individual mucilage sheath; Fig. 5:
Dividing cell (arrow).