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n-Alkanes variability in response to UV-B stress has been investigated in the cyanobacterium Spirulina platensis. Saturated hydrocarbons of UV-B treated and untreated cells of S. platensis were separated and identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) using serially coupled capillary column and obtained light chain n-alkanes (C9–C20) 78% and heavy chain n-alkanes (C21–C34) 22% in the UV-B treated cells of S. platensis. In contrast, UV-B–untreated cells of S. platensis had dominance of only long chain 71% and 29% light chain n-alkanes.49% of short chain n-alkanes were increased in UV-B treated cells of S. platensis compared to very low level in its UV-B untreated counterpart. Our finding suggest that in S. platensis under UV-B stress the short chain of n-alkane and the level of tetradecane (C14H30) and heptadecane (C17H36) were also increased compared to UV-B untreated counterpart for protection of the cell in maintaining the vital cellular functions in S. paltensis under UV-B stress.

Key words: Spirulina, UV-B stress, n-Alkanes and GC-MS