Abstract

The effect of different photon flux densities (PFD) and temperatures on the relative growth rate (RGR) and the concentration of three halogenated monoterpenes in samples of Plocamium cartilagineum L.(Dixon), a marine alga (Rhodophyceae), were studied. The highest RGR (22.8 ± 0.04 d -1) was obtained at 15°C and 41 ?mol m-2 s -1 of PFD and the lowest (18.0 ± 0.12 d-1) was obtained at 18°C and 120 ?mol m-2 s-1. The different temperatures and light used in assays did not affect significantly the production of organic compounds. The production of mertensene and violacene was not affected significantly. However, compound 1 reached the highest concentration at 15°C and 65 ?mol m-2 s-1. The relationship between growth and production of monoterpenes of P. cartilagineum and the effect of temperature and the PFD were analyzed.