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Updated: Jun 7, 2026

Quantification of Heavy Metals and Other Inorganic Contaminants on the Productivity of Microalgae
Published on: July 10, 2015
Effect of nitrogen, salt, and iron content in the growth medium and light intensity on lipid production by microalgae
Chittra Yeesang1, Benjamas Cheirsilp
1Department of Industrial Biotechnology, Faculty of Agro-Industry, Prince of Songkla University, Hat-Yai, Thailand.
Abstract:
Four green microalgae (TRG, KB, SK, and PSU) identified as Botryococcus spp. by morphological criteria were isolated from lakes and freshwater ponds in southern Thailand. In nitrogen-rich medium the strains achieved a lipid content of 25.8%, 17.8%, 15.8% and 5.7%, respectively. A combination of nitrogen deficiency, moderately high light intensity (82.5 μE m(-2) s(-1)) and high level of iron (0.74 mM) improved lipid accumulation in TRG, KB, SK, and PSU strains up to 35.9%, 30.2%, 28.4% and 14.7%, respectively. The lipid contents and plant oil-like fatty acid composition of the microalgae suggested their potential as biodiesel feedstock.
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