Effect of light quality on growth rate, carbohydrate accumulation, fatty acid profile and lutein biosynthesis of Chlorella sp. AE10

Bioresour Technol. 2019 Nov:291:121783. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2019.121783. Epub 2019 Jul 10.

Abstract

Microalgae are feedstocks for multiple product development based on algal biorefinery concept. The effects of light quality (white, red and blue light emitting diodes) and macro-element starvations on Chlorella sp. AE10 were investigated under 20% CO2 and 850 µmol m-2 d-1. Nitrogen and phosphorus starvations had negative effects on its growth rate. The biomass productivities were decreased from day 1 and the highest one was 1.90 g L-1 d-1 under white light conditions. Phosphorus starvation promoted carbohydrate accumulation under three LED light sources conditions and the highest carbohydrate content was 75.9% using red light. Blue light increased lutein content to 9.58 mg g-1. The content of saturated fatty acids was significantly increased from 37.51% under blue light and full culture medium conditions to 77.44% under blue light and nitrogen starvation conditions. Chlorella sp. AE10 was a good candidate for carbohydrate and lutein productions.

Keywords: Algal biorefinery; Fatty acid methyl ester content analysis; Light emitting diodes; Lutein; Macro-element starvation.

MeSH terms

  • Biomass
  • Carbohydrates / biosynthesis*
  • Chlorella / growth & development
  • Chlorella / metabolism*
  • Fatty Acids / analysis
  • Fatty Acids / biosynthesis*
  • Light
  • Lutein / biosynthesis*
  • Nitrogen / metabolism
  • Phosphorus / metabolism

Substances

  • Carbohydrates
  • Fatty Acids
  • Phosphorus
  • Nitrogen
  • Lutein