title: Thermo-resistant green microalgae for effective biodiesel production: isolation and characterization of unialgal species from geothermal flora of Central Anatolia.
abstract: Oil content and composition, biomass productivity and adaptability to different growth conditions are important parameters in selecting a suitable microalgal strain for biodiesel production. Here, we describe isolation and characterization of three green microalgal species from geothermal flora of Central Anatolia. All three isolates, namely, Scenedesmus sp. METUNERGY1402 (Scenedesmus sp. ME02), Hindakia tetrachotoma METUNERGY1403 (H. tetrachotoma ME03) and Micractinium sp. METUNERGY1405 (Micractinium sp. ME05) are adaptable to growth at a wide temperature range (25-50 °C). Micractinium sp. ME05, particularly has superior properties for biodiesel production. Biomass productivity, lipid content and lipid productivity of this isolate are 0.17 g L(-1) d(-1), 22.7% and 0.04 g L(-1) d(-1), respectively. In addition, Micractinium sp. ME05 and Scenedesmus sp. ME03 mainly contain desirable fatty acid methyl esters (i.e. 16:0, 16:1, 18:0 and 18:1) for biodiesel production. All isolates can further be improved via genetic and metabolic engineering strategies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Middle East Technical University, 06800 Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Melih
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Onay
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Middle East Technical University, 06800 Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Cagla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sonmez
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Middle East Technical University, 06800 Ankara, Turkey; Department of Biology, Middle East Technical University, 06800 Ankara, Turkey; Department of Biotechnology, Middle East Technical University, 06800 Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Huseyin Avni
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Oktem
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Middle East Technical University, 06800 Ankara, Turkey; Department of Biology, Middle East Technical University, 06800 Ankara, Turkey; Department of Biotechnology, Middle East Technical University, 06800 Ankara, Turkey. Electronic address: meraly@metu.edu.tr.
authors.forename: Ayse Meral
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Yucel
mesh_terms: D056804:Biofuels / Q000382:microbiology*; D018533:Biomass; D001709:Biotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D003470:Culture Media; D004952:Esters / Q000032:analysis; D045482:Hot Springs / Q000382:microbiology*; D008055:Lipids / Q000032:analysis; D058086:Microalgae / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010802:Phylogeny; D013696:Temperature; D014421:Turkey
chemical_list: D056804:Biofuels; D003470:Culture Media; D004952:Esters; D008055:Lipids
keywords: Biodiesel; Biodiesel productivity; Geothermal flora; Microalgae; Thermo-resistant