title: Isolation, Identification and High-Throughput Screening of Neutral Lipid Producing Indigenous Microalgae from South African Aquatic Habitats.
abstract: Exploring indigenous microalgae capable of producing significant amounts of neutral lipids through high-throughput screening is crucial for sustainable biodiesel production. In this study, 31 indigenous microalgal strains were isolated from diverse aquatic habitats in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Eight superior lipid-producing strains were selected for further analysis, based on Nile red fluorescence microscopy screening. The microalgal isolates were identified to belong to the genera Chlorella, Neochloris and Chlamydomonas via morpho-taxonomic and molecular approach by 18S rRNA gene sequencing. Chlorella vulgaris PH2 had the highest specific growth rate (μ) and lowest doubling time of 0.24 day-1and 2.89 ± 0.05 day-1, respectively. Chlorella vulgaris T4 had the highest biomass productivity of 35.71 ± 0.03 mg L-1day-1. Chlorella vulgaris PH2 had the highest lipid content of 34.28 ± 0.47 and 38 ± 9.2% (dcw) as determined by gravimetric analysis and the sulfo-phospho-vanillin (SPV) method, respectively. Chlorella vulgaris PH2 exhibited a high content of saturated fatty acids, while Chlorella sp. T4 exhibited a high total content of saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids with a low content of polyunsaturated fatty acids. The preponderance of neutral lipids suggests that Chlorella sp. T4 is a suitable candidate for biomass feedstock for biodiesel production.
authors.affiliation: Discipline of Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, College of Agriculture Engineering and Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal (Westville Campus), Private Bag X54001, Durban, 4000, South Africa.
authors.forename: S T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Gumbi
authors.affiliation: Discipline of Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, College of Agriculture Engineering and Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal (Westville Campus), Private Bag X54001, Durban, 4000, South Africa.
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Majeke
authors.affiliation: Discipline of Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, College of Agriculture Engineering and Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal (Westville Campus), Private Bag X54001, Durban, 4000, South Africa.
authors.forename: A O
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Olaniran
authors.affiliation: Discipline of Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, College of Agriculture Engineering and Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal (Westville Campus), Private Bag X54001, Durban, 4000, South Africa. mutanda@ukzn.ac.za.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mutanda
mesh_terms: D059001:Aquatic Organisms; D056804:Biofuels; D018533:Biomass; D002696:Chlamydomonas / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D002708:Chlorella / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005229:Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000378:metabolism; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D057166:High-Throughput Screening Assays; D058086:Microalgae / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012337:RNA, Ribosomal, 18S / Q000235:genetics; D013019:South Africa
chemical_list: D056804:Biofuels; D005227:Fatty Acids; D005229:Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D012337:RNA, Ribosomal, 18S
keywords: Biodiesel; Bioprospect; Chlorella sp.; Fatty acid methyl esters; GC-MS; Indigenous; Lipid profile; Microalgae