Effect of C/N ratio and aeration on the fatty acid composition of heterotrophicChlorella sorokiniana

Abstract

The effect of the carbon to nitrogen (C/N) ratio of the medium and the aeration rate on the lipid content and fatty acid composition of Chlorella sorokiniana was investigated using heterotrophic, batch culture. Both parameters had a significant effect. A C/N ratio of approximately 20, was found to indicate a change from carbon to nitrogen limitation for C. sorokiniana. Cell lipid content was at a minimum at this value and increased at both higher and lower C/N values. Low C/N ratios favoured a high proportion of trienoic fatty acids at the expense of monoenoic acids. Aeration enhanced cell growth, fatty acid yield and the synthesis of unsaturated dienoic and trienoic fatty acids, but reduced cell lipid content. The results demonstrate that the fatty acid composition and lipid content of heterotrophically-grown microalgae can be favourably manipulated by varying culture conditions.

Heterotrophic cultivation of Chlorella kessleri for fatty acids production by carbon and nitrogen supplements

“…The degree of fatty acids unsaturation (7/mol) was calculated according to Chen and Johns (1991) [32].…”

Effect of nitrogen limitation on cell growth, lipid accumulation and gene expression in Chlorella sorokiniana

“…Microalgae have been frequently cultured in nitrogen deficient media that allows obtaining higher lipid productivity (Liu et al 2012). Limiting nitrogen in the culture medium can induce Chlorella vulgaris to accumulate more total lipid (Chen and Johns 1991).…”

Use of Wastewaters from Ethanol Distilleries and Glycerol Mixtures for Microbial Oils Production

“…Many factors including medium components, such us carbon and nitrogen sources as well as culture conditions (temperature, dissolved oxygen and pH) have also a significant influence on biomass and oil accumulation [34][35][36].…”