CHANGES IN THE CELL GROWTH, LIPID CONTENT AND LIPID PROFILE OF CHLORELLA PROTOTHECOIDES UNDER DIFFERENT MEDIUMS

Abstract

Chlorella protothecoides is a precious lipid source that can be used as a biodiesel feedstock. Calcium, carbon, iron, hydrogen, magnesium, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, potassium and sulfur are among the various elements have to be supplied for the growth of microalgae. Especially, nitrogen and phosphorus have significance in handling the growth ratio and lipid production of microalgae. In this study, the effect of different mediums (with/without nitrogen) on cell growth and lipid content of Chlorella protothecoides was investigated. Highest lipid extraction efficiency was obtained by using hexane at ambient temperature. The maximum lipid content of Chlorella protothecoides fed with the nitrogen free Bold Basal medium was 48% (dry weight percent). The composition of fatty acid methyl esters was influenced by alteration of medium.