title: Cultivation of freshwater microalga Scenedesmus sp. using a low-cost inorganic fertilizer for enhanced biomass and lipid yield.
abstract: The potential of an inorganic fertilizer as an alternative nutrient source for the cultivation of Scenedesmus sp. IMMTCC-6 was investigated. With a preliminary study at a shake-flask scale, the microalgae cultivation was scaled up in a photobioreactor containing an inorganic fertilizer medium. Microalgae cultured in a shake flask containing 0.1 g L(-1) of urea and 1.0 g L(-1) of NPK (Nitrogen: Phosphorus: Potassium) fertilizers showed a promising result in biomass productivity. During the scale-up study in a photobioreactor the specific growth rate (μ d(-1)), biomass yield (g L(-1)), and total biomass productivity (mg L(-1) d(-1)), was found to be 0.265, 1.19 and 66.1, respectively. The lipid yield (%) as per dry cell weight (DCW) and lipid productivity (mg L(-1) d(-1)) was found to be a maximum of 28.55 and 18.87, respectively, in a stationary phase of the microalgae growth. The fatty acids methyl ester profile was proven to be desirable for biodiesel production.
authors.affiliation: CSIR - Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology.
authors.forename: Manoranjan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nayak
authors.forename: Manikkannan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Thirunavoukkarasu
authors.forename: Rama C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Mohanty
mesh_terms: D018533:Biomass; D003470:Culture Media / Q000737:chemistry*; D005308:Fertilizers; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008055:Lipids / Q000032:analysis; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000378:metabolism; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000378:metabolism; D058433:Photobioreactors / Q000382:microbiology; D011188:Potassium / Q000378:metabolism; D044444:Scenedesmus / Q000254:growth & development*; D014508:Urea / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media; D005308:Fertilizers; D008055:Lipids; D010758:Phosphorus; D014508:Urea; D009584:Nitrogen; D011188:Potassium