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07:44
Analysis of Fatty Acid Content and Composition in Microalgae
Published on: October 1, 2013
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Quantum Yield and Fatty Acid Profile Variations With Nutritional Mode During Microalgae Cultivation
M V Rohit1,2, S Venkata Mohan1,2
1Bioengineering and Environmental Sciences Lab, EEFF Centre, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIR-IICT), Hyderabad, India.
Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology
|October 16, 2018
Summary
This study explored nutritional modes for Chlorella microalgae, finding mixotrophic conditions yield the most biomass and lipid production. Different conditions also impact fatty acid profiles and photosynthetic activity.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Algal Biotechnology
- Photosynthetic Organisms
Background:
- Microalgae are commercially significant for food, feed, and biofuel production.
- They convert CO2 into valuable products like lipids and pigments through photosynthesis.
- Metabolic versatility allows microalgae to adapt to diverse nutritional environments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of different nutritional modes (autotrophic, heterotrophic, mixotrophic) on the biomass and fatty acid production of a newly isolated Chlorella sp. strain.
- To investigate the correlation between nutritional modes, photosynthetic activity (measured by OJIP and NPQ fluorescence parameters), and lipid content.
Main Methods:
- Isolation and cultivation of Chlorella sp. from a residential lake.
- Cultivation under autotrophic, heterotrophic, and mixotrophic nutritional conditions.
- Measurement of biomass, lipid yield, and total lipid content.
- Analysis of fatty acid profiles (SFA, MUFA, PUFA).
- Assessment of photosynthetic activity using OJIP and non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) fluorescence parameters.
Main Results:
- Mixotrophic conditions resulted in maximum biomass (3.59 g/L) and lipid yield (670 mg/g DCW).
- Heterotrophic conditions yielded the highest total lipid content (36%).
- Autotrophic conditions showed higher photosynthetic activity, correlating with high OJIP and NPQ fluorescence.
- Fatty acid profiles varied, with a balance of SFA and unsaturated fatty acids in autotrophic mode, and higher PUFA and MUFA in mixotrophic/heterotrophic conditions.
Conclusions:
- Nutritional mode significantly influences biomass, lipid production, and fatty acid composition in Chlorella sp.
- Mixotrophic cultivation is optimal for biomass and lipid yield, while heterotrophic is best for lipid content.
- Photosynthetic activity is highest under autotrophic conditions, indicating strain resilience and adaptability.
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