Nitrogen Source, an Important Determinant of Fatty Acid Accumulation and Profile in Scenedesmus obliquus

Abstract

The potential of algae-based fuel technologies for manufacturing renewable biofuels has been attracting interest from the scientific community. Biomass productivity and cellular lipid content are important parameters affecting the feasibility of using algae oil for biodiesel production. This study compares utilization of NaNO3, NH4Cl and urea as different nitrogen sources in terms of their effects on biomass productivity, fatty acid profile and accumulation in Scenedesmus obliquus. Cellular lipid accumulation was analyzed by gravimetric, fluorometric, and flow-cytometric methods, besides collecting spectrophotometric data for biomass productivity analysis. In addition, fatty acid profiles were compared by using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The alga can utilize all tested nitrogen sources successfully however growth rates demonstrate differences. Gravimetric lipid content analysis showed approximately a ≈1.5-fold increase in total lipid accumulation under NH4Cl regime when compared to that of NaNO3 and a ≈2-fold increase when compared to that of urea at the end of ten days cultivation course. Fatty acid profiles under different nitrogen regimes present variations especially under NH4Cl regime. Moreover, all lipid extracts mostly consist of saturated, straight-and branched-chain hydrocarbons of different chain lengths ranging from C16-C20 which grant a suitable profile for biodiesel production. Scenedesmus obliquus is a suitable species for biodiesel production. The results obtained from this study provide a better understanding of cultivation characteristics of this important species and support potential, future biodiesel production.

Effects of Nitrogen Sources on the Growth and Biochemical Composition of Diatom (Amphora coffeaeformis) Used for Shrimp Larviculture

“…However, Yilancioğlua et al [14] reported that Scenedesmus obliquus cultured with nitrates grew higher than when cultured with ammonia or nitrites. Moreover, a study on the effects of different nitrogen sources in 10 species of phytoplankton found that 2 species (Hillea sp.…”

“…Fidalgo et al [13] cultured Isochrysis galbana with different nitrogen sources which grew with nitrates or nitrites, showing that the fatty acids were very similar at any stage of growth, but were slightly different from the urea-grown cells; and Isochrysis cultured in the urea media had the highest saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids. The results from the study of Yilancioğlua et al [14] showed that sodium nitrate, ammonium chloride, and urea could be successfully utilized for the growth of the green algae Scenedesmus obliquus, and found that ammonium chloride resulted in increased lipid accumulation when compared to alternative nitrogen sources such as sodium nitrate and urea.…”

The Metabolic Relationships between Probiotics and Fatty Acids

“…Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are saturated fatty acids featuring an aliphatic chain length of at most eight carbon atoms [22]. The fermentation of the different dietary fibres leads to an increase in concentrations of several short-chain fatty acids, especially butyrate, propionate, and acetate, in the lumen of the proximal regions of the large intestine [23].…”

Magnetic Mesoporous Silica Nanocomposite for Biodiesel Production

“…Biodiesel has recently been paid attention since it is one of the sustainable energy resources [2]. Although the homogeneous catalysts can be used for biodiesel synthesis, the separation of the reaction components and the catalyst from the reaction mixture is difficult and also energy consuming, even if a high yield can be obtained [3,4].…”