Identification and Study of a Promising Cyanobacteria Species for Biotechnological Applications

Abstract

The present work aims to evaluate cyanobacteria isolated from a lagoon located in Salvador. The species have a potential for toxin production and growth in a controlled environment suggesting the potential of its biomass for biotechnological application. The species were identified and analyzed for the presence of cyanotoxin-producing genes using molecular methods. The growth kinetics of the microorganism was carried out in the laboratory and the results (productivity of 0.5 g/L) showed that this species can be cultivated under controlled conditions. The sequencing indicated similarity with a Brasilonema sp and the PCR products for the detection of cyanotoxins were negative, which makes it possible to use as food or bioactive compound sources.