Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Comparison of biomass production and total lipid content of freshwater green microalgae cultivated under various culture conditions

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Bioprocess and Biosystems Engineering Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The growth and total lipid content of four green microalgae (Chlorella sp., Chlorella vulgaris CCAP211/11B, Botryococcus braunii FC124 and Scenedesmus obliquus R8) were investigated under different culture conditions. Among the various carbon sources tested, glucose produced the largest biomass or microalgae grown heterotrophically. It was found that 1 % (w/v) glucose was actively utilized by Chlorella sp., C. vulgaris CCAP211/11B and B. braunii FC124, whereas S. obliquus R8 preferred 2 % (w/v) glucose. No significant difference in biomass production was noted between heterotrophic and mixotrophic (heterotrophic with light illumination/exposure) growth conditions, however, less production was observed for autotrophic cultivation. Total lipid content in cells increased by approximately two-fold under mixotrophic cultivation with respect to heterotrophic and autotrophic cultivation. In addition, light intensity had an impact on microalgal growth and total lipid content. The highest total lipid content was observed at 100 μmol m−2s−1 for Chlorella sp. (22.5 %) and S. obliquus R8 (23.7 %) and 80 μmol m−2s−1 for C. vulgaris CCAP211/11B (20.1 %) and B. braunii FC124 (34.9 %).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Cho S, Ji SC, Hur S, Bae J, Park IS, Song YC (2007) Optimum temperature and salinity conditions for growth of green algae Chlorella ellipsoidea and Nannochloris oculata. Fish Sci 73:1050–1056

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Liang YN, Sarkany N, Cui Y (2009) Biomass and lipid productivities of Chlorella vulgaris under autotrophic, heterotrophic and mixotrophic growth conditions. Biotechnol Lett 31:1043–1049

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Mata TM, Martins AA, Caetano NS (2010) Microalgae for biodiesel production and other application: review. Renew Sustain Energy Rev 14:217–232

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Yoo C, Jun SY, Lee JY, Ahn CY, Oh HM (2010) Selection of microalgae for lipid production under high levels carbon dioxide. Bioresour Technol 101:S71–S74

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Miao X, Wu Q (2006) Biodiesel production from heterotrophic microalgal oil. Bioresour Technol 97:841–846

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Xu H, Miao XL, Wu QY (2006) High quality biodiesel production from a microalga Chlorella protothecoides by heterotrophic growth in fermenters. J Biotechnol 126:499–507

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Li XF, Xu H, Wu QY (2007) Large-scale biodiesel production from microalga Chlorella protothecoides through heterotrophic cultivation in bioreactors. Biotechnol Bioeng 98:764–771

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Cheng Y, Zhou WG, Gao CF, Lan K, Gao Y, Wu QY (2009) Biodiesel production from Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus Tuberosus L.) tuber by heterotrophic microalgae Chlorella protothecoides. J Chem Technol Biotechnol 84:777–781

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Mandal S, Mallick N (2009) Microalga Scenedesmus obliquus as a potential source for biodiesel production. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 84:281–291

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Huang GH, Chen F, Wei D, Zhang XW, Chen G (2010) Biodiesel production by microalgal biotechnology. Appl Energy 87:38–46

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Hongjin Q, Guangce W (2009) Effect of carbon source on growth and lipid accumulation in Chlorella sorokiniana GXNN01. Chinese J Oceanol Limnol 27:762–768

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Leesing R, Nontaso N (2010) Microalgal oil production by green microalgae under heterotrophic cultivation. KKU Res J 15:787–793

    Google Scholar 

  13. Wan M, Liu P, Xia J, Rosenberg JN, Oyler GA, Betenbaugh MJ, Nie Z, Qiu G (2011) The effect of mixotrophy on microalgal growth, lipid content, and expression levels of three pathway genes in Chlorella sorokiniana. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 91:835–844

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Ratledge C, Kanagachandran K, Anderson AJ, Grantham DJ, Stephenson JC (2001) Production of docosahexaenoic acid by Crypthecodinium cohnii grown in a pH-auxostat culture with acetic acid as principal carbon source. Lipids 36:12410–12416

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Yeh KL, Chang JS, Chen YM (2010) Effect of light supply and carbon source on cell growth and cellular composition of a newly isolated microalga Chlorella vulgaris ESP-31. Eng Life Sci 10:201–208

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Lee K, Lee C (2002) Nitrogen removal from wastewaters by microalgae without consuming organic carbon sources. J Microbiol Biotechnol 12:979–985

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Doan TTY, Sivaloganathan B, Obbard JP (2011) Screening of marine microalgae for biodiesel feedstock. Biomass Bioenergy 35:2534–2544

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Yeesang C, Cheirsilp (2011) Effect of nitrogen, salt, and iron content in the growth medium and light intensity on lipid production by microalgae isolated from freshwater sources in Thailand. Bioresour Technol 102:3034–3040

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Harris EH (1989) The Chlamydomonas source book: a comprehensive guide to biology and laboratory use. Academic Press, San diego, p 780

    Google Scholar 

  20. Stanier RY, Kunisawa R, Mandel M, Cohen-Bazire G (1971) Purification and properties of unicellular blue-green algae (order Chroococcales). Bacteriol Rev 35:171–205

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Bold HC (1949) The morphology of Chlamydomonas chlamydogama sp. nov. Bull Torrey Bot Club 76:101–108

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Chu SP (1942) The influence of the mineral composition of the medium on the growth of planktonic algae. J Ecol 30(2):284–325

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Folch J, Lees M, Stanley GHS (1956) A simple method for isolation and purification of total lipides from animal tissues. J Biol Chem 226:497–509

    Google Scholar 

  24. Droop MR (1974) Heterotrophy of carbon. In: Stewart WDP (ed) Algal physiology biochemistry. Blackwell Scientific Oxford, UK, pp 530–559

    Google Scholar 

  25. Neilson AH, Lewin RA (1974) The uptake and utilization of organic carbon by algae: an essay in comparative biochemistry. Phycologia 13:227–264

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Shi XM, Liu HJ, Zhang XW, Chen F (1999) Production of biomass and lutein by Chlorella protothecoides at various glucose concentrations in heterotrophic cultures. Process Biochem 34:341–347

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Hosoglu MI, Gultepe I, Elibol M (2012) Optimization of carbon and nitrogen sources for biomass and lipid production by Chlorella saccharophila under heterotrophic conditions and development of Nile red fluorescence based method for quantification of its neutral lipid content. Biochem Eng J 61:11–19

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Tan CK, Johns MR (1991) Fatty acid production by heterotrophic Chlorella saccharophila. Hydrobiologia 215:13–19

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Yang C, Hua Q, Shimizu K (2000) Energetics and carbon metabolism during growth of microalgal cells under photoautotrophic, mixotrophic and cyclic light-autotrophic/dark-heterotrophic conditions. Biochem Eng J 6:87–102

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Yokota A, Harada A, Kitaoka S (1989) Characterization of ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase from Euglena gracilis Z. J Biochem 105:400–405

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Arroyo TH, Wei W, Ruan R, Hu B (2011) Mixotrophic cultivation of Chlorella vulgaris and its potential application for oil accumulation from non-sugar materials. Biomass Bioenergy 35:2245–2253

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Khotimchenko SV, Yakovleva IM (2005) Lipid composition of the red alga Tichocarpus crinitus exposed to different levels of photon irradiance. Phytochemistry 66:73–79

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Tansakul P, Savaddirakasa Y, Prasertsan P, Tongurai C (2005) Cultivation of the hydrocarbon-rich alga, Botryococcus braunii in secondary treated effluent from a sea food processing plant. Thai J Agric Sci 38:71–76

    Google Scholar 

  34. Sauer A, Heise KP (1984) Regulation of acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase and acetyl-coenzyme A synthetase in spinach chloroplasts. Z Naturforschung 39:268–275

    Google Scholar 

  35. Guihéneuf F, Mimouni V, Ulmann L, Tremblin G (2009) Combined effects of irradiance level and carbon source on fatty acid and lipid class composition in the microalgae pavlova lutheri commonly used in mariculture. J Exp Marine Biol Ecol 369:136–143

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Mock T, Kroon BMA (2002) Photosynthetic energy conversion under extreme conditions-II: the significance of lipids under light limited growth in antractic sea ice diatoms. Phytochemistry 61:53–60

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Sukenik A, Carmell Y, Berner T (1989) Regulation of fatty acid composition by irradiance level in the eustigmatophyte Nannochloropsis sp. J Phycol 25:686–692

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Rammus J (1990) A form-function analysis of photon captures for seaweeds. Hydrobiologia 204–205:65–71

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Ho SH, Lu WB, Chang JS (2012) Photobioreactor strategies for improving the CO2 fixation effiency of indigenous Scenedesmus obliquus CNW-N: statistical optimization of CO2 feeding. Bioresour Technol 105:106–113

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Morais MG, Costa JAV (2007) Carbon dioxide fixation by Chlorella kessleri, C. vulgaris, Scenedesmus obliquus and Spirulina sp. cultivated in flasks and vertical tubular photobioreactors. Biotechnol Lett 29:1349–1352

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Pal D, Goldberg IK, Cohen Z, Boussiba S (2011) The effect of light, salinity, and nitrogen availability on lipid production by Nannochloropsis sp. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 90:1429–1441

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. Gordillo FJL, Goutx M, Figueroa FL, Niell FX (1998) Effects of light intensity, CO2 and nitrogen supply on lipid class composition of Dunaliella viridis. J Appl Phycol 10:135–144

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Kim W, Park JM, Gim GH, Jeong S, Kang CM, Kim D, Kim SW (2012) Optimization of culture conditions and comparison of biomass productivity of three green algae. Bioprocess Biosyst Eng 35:19–27

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Chen YH, Walker TH (2011) Biomass and lipid production of heterotrophic microalgae Chlorella protothecoides by using biodiesel-derived crude glycerol. Biotechnol Lett 33:1973–1983

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Sydney EB, Sturm W, Carvalho JC, Soccol VT, Larroche C, Pandey A, Soccol CR (2010) Potential carbon dioxide fixation by industrially important microalgae. Bioresour Technol 10:5892–5896

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the grant of New & Renewable Energy Program of the Korea Institute of Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning (KETEP) funded by the Ministry of Knowledge Economy, Korea (20103020090020).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Engineering and Pioneer Research Center for Controlling of HAB, Chosun University, Gwangju, 501-759, South Korea

    Geun Ho Gim, Hyeon Seok Kim, Mathur Nadarajan Kathiravan & Si Wouk Kim

  2. Bioenergy Crop Research Center, National Institute of Crop Science, Rural Development Administration, 293-5, Cheongcheon, Cheonggye, Muan, Jeonnam, 534-833, South Korea

    Jung Kon Kim

  3. Animal Environmental Division, National Institute of Animal Science, Rural Development Administration, 77 Chuksan gil (564 Omolchun-dong), Gwonsun-Gu, Suwon, South Korea

    Jung Kon Kim

  4. Biotechnology Center, Shandong Academy of Science, No.19 Keyuan Road, Jinan, 250014, People’s Republic of China

    Hetong Yang

  5. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Chosun University, Gwangju, 501-759, South Korea

    Sang-Hwa Jeong

Authors
  1. Geun Ho Gim
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jung Kon Kim
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Hyeon Seok Kim
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Mathur Nadarajan Kathiravan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Hetong Yang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Sang-Hwa Jeong
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Si Wouk Kim
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Si Wouk Kim.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Gim, G.H., Kim, J.K., Kim, H.S. et al. Comparison of biomass production and total lipid content of freshwater green microalgae cultivated under various culture conditions. Bioprocess Biosyst Eng 37, 99–106 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00449-013-0920-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00449-013-0920-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation