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Microalgae triacylglycerols content by FT-IR spectroscopy

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Abstract

The present study aims to develop a methodology via Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy for the semiquantitative determination of triacylglycerols (TAGs) in microalgal consortia, consistent with the use of the technique as process control. FT-IR spectroscopy has proved to be a powerful analytical tool for the identification of macromolecular pools (e.g., proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates) and in monitoring biochemical changes (including lipids) in response to nutrient stress or environmental modifications. In the Oocystis-based consortium under examination, the synthesis of neutral lipid in the form of TAGs can be induced, applying stress condition, and these lipids are suitable as biodiesel precursors. In the exponential growing phase, the consortium shows a low TAGs content, in the order of 5 %w, that can be increased till around 22 %w on ash free dry matter, after nitrogen starvation.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank their colleagues N. Perin, S. Fanutti for FT-IR analysis, A. Oldani for elementary analysis, M. Vago for HRGC analysis, D. Deriu for TG analysis, and P. Lupo for the realization of the cultivation setup.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. ENI–Research Center for Non Conventional Energies, via Fauser, 4 28100, Novara, Italy

    Roberta Miglio, Stefano Palmery, Mario Salvalaggio, Lino Carnelli & Raffaella Borrelli

  2. ENI–Refining & Marketing Division, via Laurentina 441, Rome, Italy

    Federico Capuano

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  1. Roberta Miglio
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  2. Stefano Palmery
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  3. Mario Salvalaggio
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  4. Lino Carnelli
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  5. Federico Capuano
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  6. Raffaella Borrelli
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Correspondence to Roberta Miglio.

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Miglio, R., Palmery, S., Salvalaggio, M. et al. Microalgae triacylglycerols content by FT-IR spectroscopy. J Appl Phycol 25, 1621–1631 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-013-0007-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-013-0007-6

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