Microalgae are generating considerable interest for third generation biodiesel production. However, appropriate strain selection is proving challenging due to the significant variation in cellular physiology, metabolic potential and genetics observed even amongst strains deemed morphologically similar. Six strains of Nannochloropsis from the CCAP culture collection were assessed for their lipid productivity and cellular structure, as proxies for oil production and harvesting ease, to assess their suitability as biodiesel production platforms. Differences in growth rate and lipid accumulation across the strains were observed. N. oculata strain 849/7 showed significantly reduced doubling time compared to N. salina strain 849/3, whilst N. oceanica 849/10 produced the highest lipid content. In addition the six strains could be differentiated in to 3 distinct classes based on their cell wall thickness, which varied across the strains from 63-119 nm and which is independent of both species and geographical isolation location. The importance of these variations in ultrastructure and physiology for biodiesel production is discussed.
e Stenotrophomonas maltophilia PML168 was isolated from Wembury Beach on the English Coast from a rock pool following growth and selection on agar plates. Here we present the permanent draft genome sequence, which has allowed prediction of function for several genes encoding enzymes relevant to industrial biotechnology, including a novel flavoprotein monooxygenase.
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