| Botryococcus braunii | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Clade: | Viridiplantae |
| Division: | Chlorophyta |
| Class: | Trebouxiophyceae |
| Order: | Trebouxiales |
| Family: | Botryococcaceae |
| Genus: | Botryococcus |
| Species: | B. braunii
|
| Binomial name | |
| Botryococcus braunii | |
Botryococcus braunii is a green, pyramid-shaped planktonic microalga that is of potentially great importance in the field of biotechnology. Until 2024 is was considered to have three races: A, B, and L., but it was then determined that these are three separate species.[1] Colonies are held together by a lipid biofilm matrix can be found in temperate or tropical oligotrophic lakes and estuaries, and will bloom when in the presence of elevated levels of dissolved inorganic phosphorus. The species is notable for its ability to produce high amounts of hydrocarbons, especially oils in the form of Triterpenes, that are typically around 30–40% of their dry weight.[2] Compared to other green alge species it has a relatively thick cell wall that is accumulated from previous cellular divisions; making extraction of cytoplasmic components rather difficult. Much of the useful hydrocarbon oil is outside of the cell.[3]
- ^ Boland, Devon J.; Cornejo-Corona, Ivette; Browne, Daniel R.; Murphy, Rebecca L.; Mullet, John; Okada, Shigeru; Devarenne, Timothy P. (2024). ""Reclassification of Botryococcus braunii chemical races into separate species based on a comparative genomics analysis"". "PLOS One". 19 (7).
- ^ Metzger, P.; Largeau, C. (2005). "Botryococcus braunii: a rich source for hydrocarbons and related ether lipids". Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology. 66 (25): 486–96. doi:10.1007/s00253-004-1779-z. PMID 15630516. S2CID 26975859.
- ^ Wolf, Fred R.; Nonomura, Arthur M.; Bassham, James A. (1985). "Growth and Branched Hydrocarbon Production in a Strain of Botryococcus braunii (Chlorophyta)1". Journal of Phycology. 21 (3): 388. doi:10.1111/j.0022-3646.1985.00388.x. S2CID 84950470.