The main difference between Chlorella vulgaris and Chlorella pyrenoidosa is that Chlorella vulgaris does not have a pyrenoid in chloroplasts, whereas Chlorella pyrenoidosa has a pyrenoid in the chloroplast.
Chlorella vulgaris and Chlorella pyrenoidosa are two species that belong to the Chlorella genus. They are freshwater algae used for nutrition and medicine.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is Chlorella Vulgaris
– Definition, Features, Importance
2. What is Chlorella Pyrenoidosa
– Definition, Features, Importance
3. Similarities Between Chlorella Vulgaris and Pyrenoidosa
– Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Chlorella Vulgaris and Pyrenoidosa
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Chlorella Pyrenoidosa, Chlorella Vulgaris
What is Chlorella Vulgaris
C. vulgaris is a species of green microalga that belongs to the division Chlorophyta. It is thought that Chlorella occurred on earth since the Precambrian period. Specifically, C. vulgaris occurs as symbionts in the tissues of freshwater flatworms. It is essential as a dietary supplement and protein-rich food additive, especially in Japan. The leading producers of C. vulgaris are Germany, Japan, and Taiwan. Also, C. vulgaris is vital in the commercial sector due to its high resistance against invading organisms and adverse conditions. Additionally, it produces various macromolecules of interest, including starch, lipids, and proteins.
Figure 1: C. vulgaris
Furthermore, the production of macromolecules by C. vulgaris depends on the technique used in biomass production. For example, lipid and starch contents increase, and biomass decreases in hostile conditions. In contrast, the protein content and the biomass increase in nutrient-rich and light-replete conditions. Different modes of growth of C. vulgaris have also been developed, such as autotrophic, heterotrophic, and mixotrophic.
What is Chlorella Pyrenoidosa
C. pyrenoidosa is another species of freshwater green algae that belongs to the division Chlorophyta. The name of this species explicitly indicates the presence of a prominent pyrenoid within the chlorella chloroplast. The pyrenoid is a sub-cellular microcompartment that occurs in the chloroplast of many algae. It associates with the carbon-concentrating mechanism. It serves as a center of carbon dioxide fixation, maintaining a carbon dioxide-rich environment around the enzyme RuBisCO. Furthermore, it is analogous to the carboxysomes in cyanobacteria.
Figure 2: Carbon Concentrating Mechanism
Moreover, medicinally, C. pyrenoidosa is a chelating agent that extracts dioxins and dioxin-like compounds from the body. Possible medicinal uses of C. pyrenoidosa include fibromyalgia, hypertension, and ulcerative colitis. Traditional Chinese medicine uses C. pyrenoidosa as a medicine.
Similarities Between Chlorella Vulgaris and Pyrenoidosa
- Chlorella vulgaris and pyrenoidosa are two algae that belong to the genus Chlorella.
- They are green algae that grow in freshwater.
- They are important as nutritional supplements and medicine.
Difference Between Chlorella Vulgaris and Pyrenoidosa
Definition
C. vulgaris refers to a microalga belonging to the order of the Chlorococcales of the Oocytaceae family, while C. pyrenoidosa refers to a species of freshwater green alga in the Division Chlorophyta.
Pyrenoid
C. vulgaris does not contain pyrenoids, while C. pyrenoidosa has pyrenoids in the chloroplast.
Concentration of Vitamins
C. vulgaris contains a low concentration of vitamins, while C. pyrenoidosa has a high concentration of vitamins.
Protein Content
C. vulgaris contains a low content of proteins, while C. pyrenoidosa contains a high content of proteins.
Growth Factor Concentration
C. vulgaris contains a low concentration of growth factor, while C. pyrenoidosa has a high concentration of growth factor.
Conclusion
In brief, C. vulgaris and C. pyrenoidosa are two species of Chlorella. C. vulgaris is a microalga that does not contain pyrenoids in the chloroplast. Also, it contains low concentrations of vitamins, low protein content, and growth factor concentration. In comparison, C. pyrenoidosa is another species of microalgae. Significantly, it contains pyrenoids in the chloroplast. Also, it contains higher concentrations of vitamins, proteins, and growth factors. Both types of microalgae are important for nutrition and medicine. However, the main difference between C. vulgaris and C. pyrenoidosa is the presence of pyrenoid.
References:
- Chlorella pyrenoidosa. Nutriphys. (2020, December 14).
Image Courtesy:
- “Chlorella vulgaris NIES2170” By ja:User:NEON / User:NEON_ja – Own work (CC-BY SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
- “Streptococcus viridans 01” By Moritz Meyer – Own Work (CC-BY SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
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