The application of magnetic fields (MF) has attracted the attention of researchers due to their efficiency to change cell metabolism. Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is a biotechnologically useful microalga with versatile metabolism that may be a valuable organism to study the effects of the MF in biology. Therefore, two C. reinhardtii strains, one with cell wall (2137) and other which lacks the cell wall (Wt-S1-cc4694), were evaluated that a new sensitivity factor in the analysis could be included. Comparative studies were undertaken with the two C. reinhardtii strains under the MF intensities of 0.005 mT (terrestrial MF - control), 11 and 20 mT. Results indicated that the physical cell wall barrier protected cells against the MF applied during the assays. Only with the highest MF applied (20 mT) a slight increase in lipid concentration in the cell wall strain was detected. The lowest growth of the strain that lacks cell wall (Wt-S1) indicated that these cells are under a negative effect. To cope with the two MF stresses conditions, Wt-S1 cells produced more pigments (chlorophylls and carotenoids) and lipids and enhanced the antioxidant defense system. The raise of these compounds under MF could potentially have a positive biotechnological impact on algal biomass.
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