title: Effect of pH on growth and lipid accumulation kinetics of the microalga Chlorella vulgaris grown heterotrophically under sulfur limitation.
abstract: The goal of the present study was to investigate the pH range that can support the growth of C. vulgaris, and, more specifically, to identify the optimal pH for the microalga's growth, under heterotrophic conditions. Furthermore, the effect of pH on the accumulation of intracellular lipids was studied. A wide range of pH values was tested using the respective buffer solutions. The optimal pH for biomass growth and lipid accumulation under sulfur limitation was found to be 7.5, resulting in maximum specific growth rate of 0.541days(-1) and maximum total lipid content of 53.43%ggDW(-1). The fatty acid composition of C. vulgaris was found to be unrelated to pH, as the lipid content did not present significant variations in the pH values tested. The fatty acid profile was mainly composed of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) with the dominant one being oleic acid (C18:1).
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering and Environmental Technology, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Patras, 1 Karatheodori Str., University Campus, 26504 Patras, Greece.
authors.forename: Myrsini
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sakarika
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering and Environmental Technology, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Patras, 1 Karatheodori Str., University Campus, 26504 Patras, Greece. Electronic address: kornaros@chemeng.upatras.gr.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kornaros
mesh_terms: D018533:Biomass; D001709:Biotechnology / Q000379:methods; D048408:Chlorella vulgaris / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D052836:Heterotrophic Processes; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007700:Kinetics; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D058086:Microalgae / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D013455:Sulfur / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D005227:Fatty Acids; D013455:Sulfur
keywords: C. vulgaris; FAMEs; Heterotrophic growth; Sulfur limitation; pH