title: The use of Design of Experiments and Response Surface Methodology to optimize biomass and lipid production by the oleaginous marine green alga, Nannochloropsis gaditana in response to light intensity, inoculum size and CO2.
abstract: Biodiesel produced from microalgal lipids is being considered as a potential source of renewable energy. However, a number of hurdles will have to be overcome if such a process is to become practical. One important factor is the volumetric production of biomass and lipid that can be achieved. The marine alga Nannochloropsis gaditana is under study since it is known to be highly oleaginous and has a number of other attractive properties. Factors that might be important in biomass and lipid production by this alga are light intensity, inoculum size and CO2. Here we have carried out for the first time a RSM-DOE study of the influence of these important culture variables and define conditions that maximize biomass production, lipid content (BODIPY® fluorescence) and total lipid production. Moreover, flow cytometry allowed the examination on a cellular level of changes that occur in cellular populations as they age and accumulate lipids.
authors.affiliation: Life Sciences Research Center, Department of Biology, United States Air Force Academy, 2355 Faculty Drive, USAF Academy, CO 80840, United States. Electronic address: patrick.hallenbeck.ctr@usafa.edu.
authors.forename: Patrick C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Hallenbeck
authors.affiliation: Life Sciences Research Center, Department of Biology, United States Air Force Academy, 2355 Faculty Drive, USAF Academy, CO 80840, United States.
authors.forename: Melanie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Grogger
authors.affiliation: Life Sciences Research Center, Department of Biology, United States Air Force Academy, 2355 Faculty Drive, USAF Academy, CO 80840, United States.
authors.forename: Megan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mraz
authors.affiliation: Life Sciences Research Center, Department of Biology, United States Air Force Academy, 2355 Faculty Drive, USAF Academy, CO 80840, United States.
authors.forename: Donald
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Veverka
mesh_terms: D018533:Biomass; D001709:Biotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000494:pharmacology*; D048429:Cell Size / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D000460:Chlorophyta / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D008027:Light; D008055:Lipids / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D012107:Research Design; D058009:Stramenopiles / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000528:radiation effects; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D008055:Lipids; D002245:Carbon Dioxide
keywords: Algae; Biofuels; Lipid production; Medium optimization; Response Surface Methodology