Effect of nanoparticle on cellular growth and lipid production in Chlorella vulgaris culture

Magnetic cobalt ferrite/silica nanoparticles (MSNs) and methyl functionalized MSNs (methyl-MSNs) were used to enhance lipid production in Chlorella vulgaris culture through enhancement of gas-water mass transfer and increased dissolved concentration of CO₂ . Methyl-MSNs enhanced CO₂ -water mass transfer rate better than MSNs, and 0.3 wt% methyl-MSNs are more effective than 0.1 wt% MSNs. In the cultivation experiment, 0.3 wt% methyl-MSNs yielded the highest dry cell weight and subsequently, the highest mass transfer rate. However, enhancement of mass transfer rate did not increase lipid content. The volumetric lipid productivity in C. vulgaris culture depends not only on intracellular lipid content but also on the cell mass concentration. Consequently, 0.1 wt% methyl-MSNs yielded the highest volumetric lipid productivity in C. vulgaris cultivation. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 34:929-933, 2018.