The Influence of Light and Nutrient Starvation on Morphology, Biomass and Lipid Content in Seven Strains of Green Microalgae as a Source of Biodiesel
Lorenza Rugnini | Catia Rossi | Simonetta Antonaroli | Arnold Rakaj | Laura Bruno
The development of clean and renewable energy sources is currently one of the most important challenges facing the world. Although research interests in algae-based energy have been increasing in the last decade, only a small percentage of the bewildering diversity exhibited by microalgae has been investigated for biodiesel production. In this work, seven strains of green microalgae belonging to the genera <i>Scenedesmus, Tetradesmus</i> and <i>Desmodesmus</i> were grown in liquid medium with or without a nitrogen (N) source—at two different irradiances (120 ± 20 and 200 ± 20 μmol photons m<sup>−2</sup> s<sup>−1</sup>)—to evaluate biomass production and FAME (fatty acid methyl esters) content for biodiesel production. The strains of <i>Tetradesmus obliquus</i> and <i>Desmodesmus abundans</i> grown in N-deprived medium showed the highest FAME content (22.0% and 34.6%, respectively); lipid profile characterization highlighted the abundance of saturated FAME (as C16:0 and C18:0) that favors better viscosity (flow properties) and applicability of biodiesel at low temperatures. Light microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy observations were employed as a fast method to monitor the vital status of cells and lipid droplet accumulation after Nile red staining in different culture conditions.
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