Effect of nitrogen limitation on lipids content of a microalgae

Back in the 2010's, the idea of producing biodiesel from microalgae was considered as a promising technology. This motivated me to conduct my Master studies on this subject. I evaluated the simultaneous effect of factors influencing lipids accumulation (nitrogen limitation and carbon dioxyde supply) on the biochemical composition (biomass, lipids, carbohydrates and protein content) of the marine microalgae Nannochloropsis oculata.

An experimental design was established using 1-liter photoreactors and the Response Surface Methodology in order to perform a minimal number of experiments while finding the optimal conditions that enhanced lipid production. The highest lipid production was under the following conditions: 250 mg/l of initial nitrate concentration, CO₂ supply of 4% (v/v), 12 days of culturing and 2 days in state of nitrogen starvation induced by progressive limitation. This work constituted a preamble to scale-up the bioprocess with the aim to produce potential biofuels feedstock.

# biotech #  microalgae #  lipids #  stats