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Effect of light intensity and photoperiod on biomass and fatty acid composition of the microalgae, Chlorella vulgaris

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Abstract

The effects of irradiance and photoperiod on the biomass and fatty acid (FA) composition of Chlorella vulgaris were examined in the exponential growth phase. Results indicated significant differences in biomass and FA at different intensities and photoperiods. Maximum biomass (2.05 ± 0.1 g l−1) was at 62.5 μmol photons m−2 s−1 and 16:8 h light/dark photoperiod. FA composition changed considerably in different light regimes; the maximum percentage of total saturated (SFA) (33.38%) was recorded at 100 μmol photons m−2 s−1 and 16:8 h photoperiod, while monounsaturated (MUFA) and polyunsaturated (PUFA) fatty acids decreased with increasing irradiance and light duration. The maximum percentage of total MUFA (15.93%) and PUFA (27.40%) was recorded at 37.5 μmol photons m−2 s−1 and 8:16 h photoperiod.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to the manager and staff of International Sturgeon Research Institute (Gilan Province) who kindly cooperated with us throughout the study and Tarbiat Modares University for the financial support.

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Correspondence to Jafar Seyfabadi.

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Amini Khoeyi, Z., Seyfabadi, J. & Ramezanpour, Z. Effect of light intensity and photoperiod on biomass and fatty acid composition of the microalgae, Chlorella vulgaris . Aquacult Int 20, 41–49 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10499-011-9440-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10499-011-9440-1

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