Interaction between Starch Breakdown, Acetate Assimilation, and Photosynthetic Cyclic Electron Flow in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

Background: Most green microalgae grow photoautotrophically and heterotrophically.Results: The origin of chloroplast reductants in the dark is starch and/or acetate.Conclusion: It is possible to distinguish between these two carbon reserves and measure the reducing flux of carbohydrate catabolism using spectroscopic methods.Significance: The glycolytic flux in the chloroplast of green algae is faster than in plants. Background: Most green microalgae grow photoautotrophically and heterotrophically. Results: The origin of chloroplast reductants in the dark is starch and/or acetate. Conclusion: It is possible to distinguish between these two carbon reserves and measure the reducing flux of carbohydrate catabolism using spectroscopic methods. Significance: The glycolytic flux in the chloroplast of green algae is faster than in plants.