Growth and Metabolite Production in Chlorella sp.: Analysis of Cultivation System and Nutrient Reduction

Autor(es)

Estevam, Bianca Ramos ; Rios Pinto, Luisa Fernanda ; Filho, Rubens Maciel ; Fregolente, Leonardo Vasconcelos

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: BioEnergy Research; v. N/A, p. 12-pg., 2022-10-25.

Resumo

Microalgae are a sustainable source for many bioproduct syntheses. This study shows how different cultivation systems and nutrient concentrations affect Chlorella sp. development. The cultivation was performed in open and closed lab-scale systems. A Tukey test was used to evaluate the significant differences between the microalgae growth and composition under the two systems analyzed. The effect of nitrogen and phosphorus concentration was analyzed with a 2(2) full factorial design. Lipids, carbohydrates, proteins, and pigments were extracted and quantified. The highest specific growth rate (0.52 1/day) was obtained in the open pond, with a cell density of 5.06 x 10(7) cells/mL and a biomass concentration of 1.30 mg/mL. In this condition, the higher concentration of pigments was obtained: 13 mu g/mg of chlorophyll-a, 15 mu g/mg of chlorophyll-b, and 2 mu g/mg of carotenoids. An expressive increase in the lipid (from 17 to 35%) was obtained in low nitrogen and high phosphorus. Protein percentage increases with both nutrients at a higher level, reaching up to 60%. The percentage of carbohydrates decreases from 32 to 13% with phosphorus reduction. Thus, this study points out the conditions that benefit the accumulation of each Chlorella sp. metabolite, contributing to the decision-making for the cultivation and applications of this microalgae. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 15/20630-4 - Desenvolvimento integrado de biorrefinaria e planta de bioetanol de cana-de-açúcar com emissão zero de CO2: rotas para converter recursos renováveis em bioprodutos e bioeletricidade
• Beneficiário: Rubens Maciel Filho
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Temático