title: Local bioprospecting for high-lipid producing microalgal strains to be grown on concentrated municipal wastewater for biofuel production.
abstract: Mass cultivation of microalgae for biofuel production depends heavily on the performance of the microalgae strains used. In this study, 60 algae-like microorganisms collected from different sampling sites in Minnesota were examined using multi-step screening and acclimation procedures to select high-lipid producing facultative heterotrophic microalgae strains capable of growing on concentrated municipal wastewater (CMW) for simultaneous energy crop production and wastewater treatment. Twenty-seven facultative heterotrophic microalgae strains were found, among which 17 strains were proved to be tolerant to CMW. These 17 top-performing strains were identified through morphological observation and DNA sequencing as Chlorella sp., Heynigia sp., Hindakia sp., Micractinium sp., and Scenedesmus sp. Five strains were chosen for other studies because of their ability to adapt to CMW, high growth rates (0.455-0.498 d(-1)) and higher lipid productivities (74.5-77.8 mg L(-1)d(-1)). These strains are considered highly promising compared with other strains reported in the literature.
authors.affiliation: Center for Biorefining, Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering Department, University of Minnesota, 1390 Eckles Ave., Saint Paul, MN 55108, USA.
authors.forename: Wenguang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Yecong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Min
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Min
authors.forename: Bing
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Roger
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ruan
mesh_terms: D056804:Biofuels / Q000032:analysis* / Q000382:microbiology*; D057919:Biological Oxygen Demand Analysis; D018533:Biomass; D001709:Biotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D002244:Carbon / Q000032:analysis; D002947:Cities; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000378:metabolism; D052836:Heterotrophic Processes; D008055:Lipids / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D058086:Microalgae / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D008910:Minnesota; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000032:analysis; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000032:analysis; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012337:RNA, Ribosomal, 18S / Q000235:genetics; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid; D018508:Water Purification / Q000295:instrumentation
chemical_list: D056804:Biofuels; D005227:Fatty Acids; D008055:Lipids; D012337:RNA, Ribosomal, 18S; D010758:Phosphorus; D002244:Carbon; D009584:Nitrogen