Abstract
Bioprospecting for biodiesel potential in microalgae primarily involves a few model species of microalgae and rarely on non-model microalgae species. Therefore, the present study determined changes in physiology, oil accumulation, fatty acid composition and biodiesel properties of a non-model microalga Messastrum gracile SE-MC4 in response to 12 continuous days of nitrate-starve (NS) and nitrate-replete (NR) conditions respectively. Under NS, the highest oil content (57.9%) was achieved despite reductions in chlorophyll content, biomass productivity and lipid productivity. However, under both NS and NR, palmitic acid and oleic acid remained as dominant fatty acids thus suggesting high potential of M. gracile for biodiesel feedstock consideration. Biodiesel properties analysis returned high values of cetane number (CN 61.9–64.4) and degree of unsaturation (DU 45.3–57.4) in both treatments. The current findings show the possibility of a non-model microalga to inherit superior ability over model species in oil accumulation for biodiesel development.
Highlights
Algal-based biodiesel technology remains an important approach to cope with dependency on a dwindling supply of fossil fuel[1]
Studies showed that alteration of fatty acid profiles would increase the polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) accumulation, which setbacks or further complicates feedstock selection since biodiesel production favors more saturated and monounsaturated fatty acid types for its a pplication[17]
M. gracile SE-MC4, was cultivated in short (Day 1, Day 2 and Day 3), medium (Day 6 and Day 9) and prolonged (Day 12) exposure to nitrate starvation (NS) conditions, while cell density, chlorophyll, biomass, oil productivity and fatty acid composition were determined throughout the experiments
Summary
Algal-based biodiesel technology remains an important approach to cope with dependency on a dwindling supply of fossil fuel[1]. During the lipid accumulation phase, microalgae growth, cell division and photosynthesis rate are inhibited as carbon portioning favors triaclyglyceride (TAG) formation, a type of storage component other than sucrose[14] Many species, such as Chlorella vulgaris and Chlorella sorokiniana possess fatty acid profiles of the following lipids: palmitic acid (C16:0), oleic acid (C18:1), stearic acid (C18:0), linoleic acid (C18:2) and α-linolenic acid (C18:3n3), which are suitable base for biodiesel d evelopment[15,16]. M. gracile SE-MC4, was cultivated in short (Day 1, Day 2 and Day 3), medium (Day 6 and Day 9) and prolonged (Day 12) exposure to NS conditions, while cell density, chlorophyll, biomass, oil productivity and fatty acid composition were determined throughout the experiments Biodiesel evaluation, such as cetane number (CN), degree of unsaturation (DU) and cold filter plugging point (CFPP) was performed to determine the compatibility of M. gracile oil for future biodiesel application
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