Optimization of cell disruption in Raphidocelis subcapitata and Chlorella vulgaris for biomarker evaluation

Raphidocelis subcapitata and Chlorella vulgaris are bioassay microalgae with rigid cellulosic cell wall which can hinder the release of intracellular proteins often studied as toxicity biomarkers. Since cell disruption is necessary for recovering intracellular biomolecules in these organisms, this study investigated the efficiency of ultrasonication bath; ultrasonication probe; vortexer; and bead mill in disintegrating the microalgae for anti - oxidative enzyme extraction. The extent of cell disruption was evaluated and quantified using bright field microscopy. Disrupted algae appeared as ghosts. The greatest disintegration of the microalgae (83 - 99.6 %) was achieved using bead mill with 0.42 - 0.6 mm glass beads while the other methods induced little or no disruption. The degree of cell disruption using bead mill increased with exposure time, beads - solution ratio and agitation speed while larger beads caused less disruption. Fin dings revealed that bead milling, with specific parameters optimized , is one of the most effective methods of disintegrating the robust algal cells.