(577f) Culture of Microalgae Chlorella Minutissima for Biofuels Feedstock Production

Microalgae are among the most promising of non-food based biomass fuel feedstock alternatives. Algal biofuels production is challenged by limited oil content, growth rate, and economical cultivation. In this work, the effect of light source, light intensity, photoperiod, and N starvation on the growth and lipid content of Chlorella Minutissima were studied. Moreover, the fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) content and composition of Chlorella Minutissima was investigated with variable parameters. Red light-emitting diodes (LEDs), white LEDs, and fluorescent lights all were effective for algal growth. Increasing light intensity significantly resulted in more rapid algal growth, while increasing the period of light also significantly increased biomass productivity. N starvation significantly increased lipid content. Moreover, the different light source had effect of FAME composition of Chlorella Minutissima. The methyl palmitate (c16:0), methyl oleate (C18:1), methyl linoleate (C18:2), and methyl linolenate (C18:3) are the major components of Chlorella Minutissima FAME and makes Chlorella Minutissima biomass a suitable feedstock for biofuels production.