Utilization of Nitrogen Compounds by Unicellular Algae

Abstract
Eight Chlorophyta employ urea as a sole nitrogen source; five utilize uric acid and xanthine. The Cyanophyta, Rhodophyta, and Euglenophyta studied do not grow on these three nitrogen sources, although Anacystis nidulans decomposes uric acid to allantoin. None of the algae tested utilized either allantoin or creatinine.