Fig. 4

Bioprospecting and characterization of isolated algal strains. a Explored areas for isolation of selected algae strains in the UAE are shown in the map (Map of the UAE is adapted and modified from Google Maps). b Phylogenetic tree of novel algal isolates. The tree was reconstructed using a 1400 nt region of the RbcL gene from novel algal isolates and NCBI-cataloged species are shown. Maximum likelihood phylogenies are inferred. Evolutionary distances were measured using a Jukes-Cantor method with 1000 bootstrap replicates. c Brightfield and fluorescence micrographs of algal isolates, (i) Chlamydomonas sp. KSA1, (ii) Chlamydomonas sp. HC1, (iii) Chloroidium sp. DN1, (iv) Dunaliella sp. DN1, (v) MG8 (unknown lineage), (vi) RSSF (unknown lineage) and (vii) Picochloris sp. DN. Fluorescence micrographs are dyed with Nile red or BODIPY 505/515 to highlight lipid bodies. d Optical micrograph (1) and Raman hyperspectral image (2), of reference C. reinhardtii (CC-503) microalgae and constructed Raman images of proteins (1003 cm⁻¹) (3), carotenoid components (1520 cm⁻¹) (4), lipid bodies (1445 cm⁻¹) (5), and combination of these components (6). e Raman single spectrum collected for C. reinhardtii (CC-503) strain and isolated soil microalgae and f isolated aquatic microalgae. Spectra were recorded using 532 nm laser as excitation source after performing controlled photobleaching to reduce the fluorescence background; the algal strain designations are the same as in panel c