[Effects of different nitrogen sources and concentrations on starch and lipid biosynthesis by Desmodesmus insignis]

In order to improve biofuel production by Desmodesmus insignis, we studied the effect of different nitrogen sources and concentrations on the growth, total lipids, carbohydrate and starch accumulation of Desmodesmus insignis.

D. insignis was cultivated in basic general-11 medium containing 5 different initial nitrogen concentrations (3, 6, 9, 12 and 18 mmol/L) supplied in the form of sodium nitrate, ammonium bicarbonate and urea. Biomass was determined by dry weight, total lipids by gravimeter, and carbohydrates and starch by phenolsulfuric acid method.

NaNO3, NH4HCO3 and CO(NH2)2 were all suitable for the growth of D. Insignis. When 3 mmol/L NaNO3 was used, the peak lipid content reached to 32.61% (d.w). The maximum content and productivity of carbohydrate and starch were 56.54% (d·w), 55.33% (d·w) and 0.24 g/(L·d), 0.23 g/(L·d) respectively, when 18 mmol/L NH4HCO3 was used. Urea could also obtain relative high content of biomass, total lipids, carbohydrates and starch.

Integrating these results with production costs, we could suggest ammonium bicarbonate and urea as nitrogen source at the concentration of 18 mmol/L.