Development of fed batch strategies to improve the production of eicosapentaenoic acid from a marine microalga Nannochloropsis oculata

Abstract

Marine microalgae are emerging as a source of polyunsaturated fatty acids and other commercially important nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals. In this work, batch and fed batch modes were assessed to improve the performance of Nannochloropsis oculata as an eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) producer. Fed batch strategies devised in this study involve simultaneous C and nitrogen (N) supplementation resulting in promising boost in biomass and EPA productivities. Individually, mixotrophic C supplementation improved the biomass productivity (0.17 g·L−1·d−1) and total lipid content (~72.69% dry cell weight) while N supplementation led to higher EPA percentage (33.9%) on overall fatty acid profile. This study is the first to explore molasses, a carbon (C) rich industrial effluent, as an alternative C source for mixotrophic growth of N. oculata. Collectively, this study explores potential growth regimes to enhance feasibility of biomass production without compromise in EPA productivity in N. oculata.