DETERMINATION OF GROWTH KINETICS AND BIOCHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF Nitzschia palea (Kützing) W. Smith ISOLATED FROM FRESHWATER SOURCES IN TURKEY

Abstract

This study was performed in order to bring out a detailed information on growth dynamics and biochemical determination of the diatom species Nitzschia palea (Kützing) W. Smith under batch culture conditions in order to pave the way for further studies. The study material was isolated from a fresh water sample collected from Ankara, Turkey. The diatoms were cultured in Allen medium for 168 hours and the growth dynamics were determined by cell density and dry weight analyses. Specific growth rate, duplication time of the culture and biochemical compositions were also investigated. Molecular characterization of the N. palea strain was performed by applying Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. The cell density and the dry biomass of the culture at the end of the 168 hours incubation period was determined as 2.0x10 6 ±1.0x10 5 cells/mL and 0.212±0.041 g L-1 , respectively. The algal specific growth rate was found as 0.010 h-1 at 96-h and the doubling time was calculated as 68 h-1. The protein content was measured as 41.21%, carbohydrate content as 21.74%, lipid content as 16.84% and ash content as 19.88%. These results indicated that N. palea may be used in different fields of industries, especially in biodiesel production.

Enhancement of Biomass Production of Diatom Nitzschia sp. S5 through Optimisation of Growth Medium Composition and Fed-Batch Cultivation

“…On the other hand, protein content increased from 15.34% at the control to a maximum of 21.48% and 21.00% at Si:N:P ratios of 3:13:1 and 7:23:1, respectively. The diatom composition was similar to literature data for different Nitzschia strains and other diatoms [ 2 , 47 , 74 , 79 , 80 ]. In exponentially growing cells, protein content almost exceeds carbohydrate content, which, in turn, usually exceeds the lipid content [ 81 ].…”

“…Phosphate was completely used under all cultivation conditions except in culture broth with the highest initial phosphate concentration. Concentrations of silicon and nitrogen were below the limiting concentration reported in the literature for diatoms [2,39,59,[72][73][74]. Therefore, in continuation of this study, the combined effect of nitrogen, silicon, and phosphate on diatom biomass growth and bio-chemical composition was further investigated.…”