Effects of Light Intensity on the Growth and Lipid Accumulation of Microalga Scenedesmus sp. 11-1 Under Nitrogen Limitation

• DOI: 10.1007/s12010-012-9639-2
• Publication Date: 2012-03-13T01:22:41Z
• Authors: Junhan Liu; Cheng Yuan; Guangrong Hu; Fuli Li
• Keywords: 0106 biological sciences; Nitrates; Light; Nitrogen; Fatty Acids; Microalgae; Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; Pigments, Biological; Lipid Metabolism; 01 natural sciences; Plant Proteins; Scenedesmus

Scenedesmus spp. have been reported as potential microalgal species used for the lipid production. This study investigated the effects of light intensity (at three levels: 50, 250, and 400 μmol photons m(-2) s(-1)) on the growth and lipid production of Scenedesmus sp. 11-1 under N-limited condition. Carotenoid to chlorophyll ratio was higher when algae 11-1 grew under 250 and 400 μmol photons m(-2) s(-1) than that under 50 μmol photons m(-2) s(-1), while protein contents was lower. Highest biomass yield (3.88 g L(-1)), lipid content (41.1 %), and neutral lipid content (32.9 %) were achieved when algae 11-1 grew at 400 μmol photons m(-2) s(-1). Lipid production was slight lower at 250 μmol photons m(-2) s(-1) level compared to 400 μmol photons m(-2) s(-1). The major fatty acids in the neutral lipid of 11-1 were oleic acid (43-52 %), palmitic acid (24-27 %), and linoleic acid (7-11 %). In addition, polyunsaturated fatty acids had a positive correlation with total lipid production, and monounsaturated fatty acids had a negative one.