Nutritional Value and Fatty Acid Compositions of Chlorella Vulgaris Grown Under Autotrophic and Heterotrophic Conditions

Abstract

Chlorophyll-a content of autotrophic cells of Chlorella vulgaris was double that estimated in heterotrophic cells, while chlorophyll-b content of autotrophic cells was nearly half the value recorded for heterotrophic cells. Carotenoids content of heterotrophic cultures decreased by 30.82% compared to that value of autotrophic cells. There was a slight decrease in the protein content of C. vulgaris under heterotrophic conditions. When the composition of total free amino acids and proline of C. vulgaris grown under autotrophic conditions is compared to that grown heterotrophically, it was observed that a significant increase in total free amino acids and proline in heterotrophic cultures. The percentage of most fatty acids of heterotrophic cells was relatively higher than autotrophic ones. There was no qualitative difference between autotrophic and heterotrophic cultures, except for the fatty acid 16:02 which was absent under autotrophic conditions.

Sustainable protein production through genetic engineering of cyanobacteria and use of atmospheric N2 gas

“…Aquaculture, poultry, and animal sectors can utilize the cyanobacterial protein as a feedstock (Guedes et al., 2011). It can also be used as a whole food or an ingredient in processed food products to provide protein for human consumption (El‐Sheekh et al., 2014). Consumer adoption of this novel protein source is questionable, and the market need for cyanobacterial protein is still entirely unproven.…”