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Effects of nitrogen and phosphorus limitations on fatty acid methyl esters and fuel properties of Dunaliella salina

  • Renewable Energy and Water Sustainability
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Abstract

This study was designed to assess the synergistic effects of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) concentrations on oil content, fatty acid profile, and predicted fuel properties of Dunaliella salina. Axenic D. salina cells were grown in F/2 growth medium of salinity 34 ppt containing 33.6 g.l−1 ultramarine synthetic sea salt. Growth dry weight, cell count, and their relationship were measured, and oils were extracted by soaking following Soxhlet extraction. Growth dry weight was markedly affected by N and P concentrations, with maximum growth dry weights of cultures grown at recommended N and P concentrations (control), half of the recommended N concentration (0.5 N) and (0.5 N/0.5P) being 0.911 g.l−1, 0.755 g.l−1, and 0.615 g.l−1, respectively. Oil content showed the reverse pattern, with cultures grown in the absence of phosphorus (0.0P), full N/P starvation (0.0 N/0.0P), and control resulting in maximum oil contents of 24.86%, 22.85%, and 5.88%, respectively. The majority of fatty acid methyl esters ranged between C14 and C22. Estimated fuel properties of algal cells grown under NP stress conditions were found to meet the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and European Committee for Standardization (EN) guidelines.

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Abbreviations

FAME:

Fatty acid methyl ester

LCSF:

Long-chain saturated factor

TAG:

Triacylglycerol

DU:

Degree of unsaturation

CN:

Cetane number

USFA:

Unsaturated fatty acids

SV:

Saponification value

CFPP:

Cold filter plugging point

IV:

Iodine value

KV:

Kinematic viscosity

SFA:

Saturated fatty acid

CF:

Cold flow

OS:

Oxidation stability

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  1. Biological Science Department, Rabigh- Faculty of Science and Arts, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

    Adel W. Almutairi

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Almutairi, A.W. Effects of nitrogen and phosphorus limitations on fatty acid methyl esters and fuel properties of Dunaliella salina. Environ Sci Pollut Res 27, 32296–32303 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-08531-8

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