A quantitative analysis of microalgal lipids for optimization of biodiesel and omega‐3 production

Abstract

The lipid characteristics of microalgae are known to differ between species and change with growth conditions. This work provides a methodology for lipid characterization that enables selection of the optimal strain, cultivation conditions, and processing pathway for commercial biodiesel production from microalgae. Two different microalgal species, Nannochloropsis sp. and Chlorella sp., were cultivated under both nitrogen replete and nitrogen depleted conditions. Lipids were extracted and fractionated into three major classes and quantified gravimetrically. The fatty acid profile of each fraction was analyzed using GC-MS. The resulting quantitative lipid data for each of the cultures is discussed in the context of biodiesel and omega-3 production. This approach illustrates how the growth conditions greatly affect the distribution of fatty acid present in the major lipid classes and therefore the suitability of the lipid extracts for biodiesel and other secondary products.

Microalgal Species Selection for Biodiesel Production Based on Fuel Properties Derived from Fatty Acid Profiles

“…Cultures were harvested in stationary phase, induced by nutrient limitation. Characterization and quantification of the fatty acid content in the separate fractions i.e., triacylglycerides (TAGs or storage fats) and membrane lipids (phosphor-and glycolipids) would yield more information regarding the suitability of current industrial processing methods for production of biodiesel using oil from these algal species [30]. Lipid class content, however, varies depending on growth condition, nutrient provision and extraction solvent and process used and published results for these parameters are scarce, particularly with regards to comparable cultivation regimes.…”

Sufficient utilization of natural fluctuating light intensity is an effective approach of promoting lipid productivity in oleaginous microalgal cultivation outdoors

“…The most abundant synthesized FAMEs were FAs with C16-C18 (>95%) in four microalgae. These FAs are key components for producing biodiesel Xia et al, 2013., Olmstead et al, 2013Takeshita et al, 2014). Monounsaturated fatty acids (i.e., C18:1) have a large proportion, essentially consisting of NLs, and favor biodiesel production (Hu et al, 2008).…”

Growth Medium Screening for Chlorella vulgaris Growth and Lipid Production

“…Extensive studies have been carried out on investigating the growth and lipid productivity of C. vulgaris in growth media [7,8]. The conclusion as that various additions of nutrients in medium recipe showed a direct effect on the cell content, such as lipid, biomass, carbohydrate, protein, chlorophyll and pigments [9,10].…”