Coproduction of lipids and extracellular polysaccharides from the novel green alga Parachlorella sp. BX1.5 depending on cultivation conditions

Abstract

A novel strain of microalga Parachlorella sp. BX1.5 was isolated and its unique properties of producing lipids and extracellular polysaccharides (EPS) characterized. The cells could extracellularly produce a large amount of acidic EPS, when cultured in nitrogen-deficient BG110 medium (BG11–N) with 2 % CO2-air supply. The main component of intracellularly accumulated lipids was triacylglycerol (TAG), depending on the different cultivation conditions of BG11, BG11–N, BG11–P (phosphate depleted), and BG11–N–P (nitrogen and phosphate depleted). Fatty-methyl-esters (FAMEs), methyl-esterification of total lipids, consisted of abundant saturated C16 and unsaturated C18 fatty acids under the culture conditions. Cell spot assays on BG11 plates revealed the resistance of cells to pH 2–11, high temperatures of 50–70 °C, ultraviolet irradiation, and drought, under different culture conditions, thereby suggesting the biological significance of lipid and EPS accumulation. The prospects of BX1.5 as a dual producer has also been discussed for biorefineries.