Nitrogen Assimilation of Hydrocarbon Producing Algae, Botryococcus braunii UTEX-572

The effect of nitrate, nitrite and ammonia as inorganic nitrogen sources on the modulation of nitrogen metabolism of Botryococcus braunii UTEX.-572 has been studied under aeration. The primary process in the regulation of nitrogen metabolism by this alga has the nitrate uptake system. This uptake of nitrate operation was immediately inhibited by the presence of 0.5 mM of ammonium and reversed by 0.2∼0.3 mM ammonium. When cell were exposed to 5 mM of ammonium for 24 hours the activity of nitrate reductase became inactive.