Achieving high lipid productivity of a thermotolerant microalga Desmodesmus sp. F2 by optimizing environmental factors and nutrient conditions.
The optimal conditions for cultivating the thermotolerant lipid-rich microalga Desmodesmus sp. F2 to achieve maximal lipid productivity were determined in this study. The conditions were light intensity, 700μmol/m(2)s; temperature, 35°C; cultivation nitrogen source, nitrate; initial nitrogen level, 6.6mM nitrogen. Carbon dioxide (2.5%, 0.2 vvm) was pumped into the cultures continuously. In the pre-optimized conditions, the maximal lipid productivity of this microalga was 113mg/L/d, which was raised to 263mg/L/d in the optimized conditions. This level of lipid productivity of microalgae is the highest ever reported in the literature. Fatty acid composition of the lipid produced by Desmodesmus sp. F2 in the optimal conditions was determined, in which C16 and C18 species accounted for 95% of the fatty acids. Saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids accounted for 38.9%, 33.1% and 22.6%, respectively. Based on the analysis, this lipid quality makes it a good feedstock for biodiesel production.
Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan; Organization of Advanced Science and Technology, Kobe University, Kobe, Japan.
Shih-Hsin
SH
Ho
Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan; University Center for Bioscience and Biotechnology, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan; Research Center for Energy Technology and Strategy, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan.
Jo-Shu
JS
Chang
Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan.
Yen-Ying
YY
Lai
Department of Oceanography, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung 804, Taiwan; Asia-Pacific Ocean Research Center, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung 804, Taiwan. Electronic address: nathanc@mail.nsysu.edu.tw.
Ching-Nen Nathan
CN
Chen
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000528:radiation effects; D018533:Biomass; D000460:Chlorophyta / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000528:radiation effects; D004777:Environment; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000378:metabolism; D008027:Light; D008055:Lipids / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D058086:Microalgae / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000528:radiation effects; D009566:Nitrates / Q000378:metabolism; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013696:Temperature
D005227:Fatty Acids; D008055:Lipids; D009566:Nitrates; D009584:Nitrogen
Biodiesel; Desmodesmus; Microalgae; Thermotolerance