Assessment of Anti-proliferative and Anti-bacterial Activity of a Desert Microalgal Strain Desmodesmus sp.

Abstract

Microalgae are believed to be a promising sources of different high value products (HVP). HVP are metabolites which are produced during the growth of microalgae and their production is triggered by the physiochemical growth conditions of the microalgae. The present project was aiming to explore the presence of bioactive compounds in desert microalgae Desmodesmus sp. and to assess its ability to support and improve health care in Qatar. The isolate was cultivated under conventional conditions as a control, and under 3 different stress conditions to enhance the production of high value products. Then crude algal extracts were used to assess the biological activity. Results of the study suggest that Desmodesmus sp. produces high value products that exhibit great anti-oxidant, anti-proliferative and anti-bacterial activity when cultivated under conventional conditions and under continuous light stress.