The Combined Effect of pH and Radiation on The Biochemical Content of Asterococcus sp. Algae

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the interactive effect of radiation and pH on the chemical content, represented by protein, lipids, carbohydrates, fatty acids, chlorophyll, mineral elements, and ash, in the alga Asterococcus sp. Algal samples were collected from different areas of the Euphrates River in the city of Nasiriyah, southern Iraq. They were purified and isolated using appropriate techniques and conditions, and then cultured in appropriate media according to different parameters of radiation and pH.  The results showed a significant decrease in the percentage of protein, carbohydrates, fats, calories, chlorophyll, fatty acids, mineral elements, and ash in the treatments exposed to radiation and different pH levels. We conclude that radiation and pH have a clear and significant effect on the nutritional components of the Asterococcus algae due to their effect on the chlorophyll pigment, which is the source of energy in the algae.