Physiological and photosynthetic performance of native microalgae strains isolated from Baja California

To assess the physiological status and photosynthetic activity of sixteen microalgae strains isolated from Baja California, growth estimations and in vivo chlorophyll a (Chl-a) fluorescence measurements were performed. The bacillariophyte Diploneis sp. exhibited the highest growth rate, while the highest cell densities were observed in Tetraselmis suecica and Navicula sp. strain 2. Most strains showed effective maximum quantum yield (Fv/Fm) values above 0.50. The highest values of maximum electron transport rate (ETRₘ) and saturation irradiance (Iₖ) were recorded for Amphora sp. strain 6 and Heterococcus sp. The diatom Navicula sp. strain 4 showed the highest content of chlorophyll a and carotenoids. The culture conditions used in this study were not stressful for the microalgae strains. Notably, T. suecica showed high maximum cell density and Fv/Fm values; Amphora sp. strain 6 exhibited the highest electron transport rate (ETRₘ) and elevated saturation irradiance (Iₖ). This work highlights the interspecific variability in physiological and photosynthetic traits among native strains, which can be promising candidates for aquaculture and biotechnology applications requiring robust photosynthetic performance.