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Hydrocarbons in green and blue-green algae
Folia Microbiologica
|January 1, 1982
Summary
Hydrocarbon content in algae varies with cultivation. Scenedesmus species grown autotrophically showed the highest hydrocarbon yields, primarily alkanes like heptadecane and hexacosane.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Phycology
- Organic Chemistry
Background:
- Algae are a diverse group of photosynthetic organisms with potential for biofuel production.
- Hydrocarbons are valuable compounds found in various organisms, including algae.
- Cultivation conditions significantly influence algal biomass composition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify and analyze hydrocarbon content in selected green and blue-green algae species.
- To compare hydrocarbon yields under autotrophic and heterotrophic cultivation.
- To identify major alkane and alkene compounds present in algal biomass.
Main Methods:
- Liquid column chromatography and thin-layer chromatography for total hydrocarbon content determination.
- Gas chromatography for hydrocarbon composition analysis.
- Cultivation of algae (Chlorella, Scenedesmus, Spirulina) under autotrophic and heterotrophic conditions.
Main Results:
- Hydrocarbon content in Chlorella kessleri was higher under heterotrophic (10^-2%) than autotrophic (10^-3%) conditions.
- Scenedesmus species exhibited the highest hydrocarbon content (10^-1%) when cultivated autotrophically.
- Heptadecane and hexacosane were identified as major alkanes, with 1-heptadecene detected among alkenes.
Conclusions:
- Autotrophic cultivation favors higher hydrocarbon production in Scenedesmus species.
- Algal species and cultivation methods are critical factors for optimizing hydrocarbon yields.
- The identified hydrocarbons, particularly alkanes, represent potential targets for biotechnological applications.