Abstract High-frequency pulsed light is gaining attention as a promising strategy for microalgal cultivation, providing several advantages over continuous illumination, including energy saving, cost reduction, and enhanced photosynthetic efficiency. Another important factor influencing photosynthetic performance and growth rate is temperature, as it directly affects the functioning of the electron transport chain. Accordingly, this study aimed to explore the interaction between pulsed light and temperature in Tetradesmus obliquus , focusing on how varying light and dark periods affect photosynthetic performance and biomass accumulation. Respirometric experiments performed at three different temperatures revealed a clear effect of temperature on the photosynthetic rate under saturating light conditions, indicating a direct influence on the electron transport chain. As a result, at higher temperatures, shorter dark periods were sufficient to achieve efficient photon capture. These findings were further validated in continuously-operated photobioreactors, confirming the trends observed by photorespirometry. Graphical abstract
Torrisi et al. (2026) studied this question.