Protein-enriched Porphyridium purpureum biomass via nitrogen and light modulation for biotechnological applications

Abstract

Porphyridium purpureumis a red microalga with significant biotechnological potential, whose biomass composition can be modulated under controlled culture conditions. Increased nitrogen availability and optimized light intensity stimulate protein accumulation, reflecting adaptive metabolic responses to environmental variations. This metabolic plasticity enables the redirection of biosynthetic pathways toward target compounds. Moreover, the resulting biomass can serve as a biological matrix for generating reducing biomolecules applicable in the functionalization of silver nanoparticles and the development of stable, biocompatible nanobiomaterials.Aim of the study:To identify optimal nutritional and illumination conditions for maximizing protein accumulation in Porphyridium purpureumand to validate the obtained biomass as a source of targeted proteins for subsequent use in the biofunctionalization of silver nanoparticles.