*3.16. Statistical Analysis*

For the statistical analysis of the experimental results, the STATISTICA software (V.7; Tulsa, OK, USA) was used. All values were expressed as mean ± standard deviations (SD). The one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to determine the differences between the EPS production, elemental analysis of EPS and antioxidant activity of EPS. When significant differences in the ANOVA were found, the post-hoc Tukey test was performed to identify the difference between the treatments. The Student's *t*-test was used to determine significant differences between the cultures in all population parameters, biochemical composition, C/N ratio, phenolic compounds, antioxidant activity and pigments. Homogeneity of variance was checked using the Cochran test and by visual inspection of the residues [95]. The correlations of the data obtained were calculated using Pearson's correlation analysis. Statistical significance of mean differences was considered to be attained with *p* < 0.05.
