A Comparative Study of the Antioxidant Status and Biotechnological Potential of Bracteacoccus minor (Chlorophyceae) Strains

The accumulation of metabolites and the antioxidant response in new strains of <i>Bracteacoccus minor</i> MZ-Ch31 and MZ-Ch39 isolated from various biotopes were studied. It was found that the antioxidant response of <i>B</i>. <i>minor</i> MZ-Ch31 and MZ-Ch39 is different. This may be due to the acclimatization of these strains to specific environmental factors of the natural biotope. Strain <i>B</i>. <i>minor</i> MZ-Ch39 had a higher antioxidant activity compared to <i>B</i>. <i>minor</i> MZ-Ch31. The TBA-reactive substance content in <i>B</i>. <i>minor</i> MZ-Ch39 cells was lower than that of MZ-Ch31. The antioxidant response in <i>B</i>. <i>minor</i> MZ-Ch39 was realized by high catalase and glutathione peroxidase activity and accumulation of retinol. In <i>B</i>. <i>minor</i> MZ-Ch31, the antioxidant response was associated with the accumulation of α-tocopherol and carotenoids. The strains did not differ in terms of superoxide dismutase activity. From a biotechnological point of view, <i>B. minor</i> MZ-Ch31 biomass is a valuable resource of lipids rich in omega-3 fatty acids, α-tocopherol, and carotenoids. The <i>B. minor</i> MZ-Ch39 has the potential to generate lipids enriched with essential omega-6 fatty acids.