Abstract
Nannochloropsis oculata is a marine algae with high lipid content, being a promising species for biofuel production. It is also used as food in aquaculture for larval fish and crustaceans due to its high nutritional value and compatible size with the larvae feeding. This study evaluated the lipid content in the biomass of N. oculata under nitrate depletion. The cultivation was carried out in 8 L bottles with three replications, at salinity 27, illuminance of 60 μE cm-2 s-1 and temperature 28 °C. The levels of sodium nitrate used were 15; 30; 45; 60 and 75 mg L-1, while maintaining constant the levels of all other nutrients of the Guillard f/2 medium. The growth curve was monitored every two days by spectrophotometry at 680 nm (DO680nm) and cell counting in a Neubauer chamber. For separation of the culture medium from the cells, we used chemical flocculation method, adding 2N NaOH. The higher lipid content in the biomass was obtained at the lowest level of nitrate in the culture medium.
Highlights
Nannochloropsis oculata is a unicellular marine microalgae that can absorb sunlight and carbon dioxide in the presence of inorganic nutrients, to produce organic matter through photosynthesis. It has high lipid content, being a promising species for the production of biodiesel; it is used as food in aquaculture, especially for the larval stage of fish and crustaceans due to its easy and rapid cultivation and small size compatible with the feeding mechanism of larvae (WEI et al, 2013)
The interactions of microalgae with the culture medium and with the physical environment result in changes in cell density, which tends to increase exponentially after the inoculation
The strain of N. oculata used in this study was obtained from the strain bank of the Laboratory of the Center for Aquaculture Technology (CTA), Department of Fisheries Engineering, Federal University of Ceará, where it is maintained at 22 ± 2 °C in test tubes, with artificial light and photoperiod of 8 h/16 h light-dark cycle
Summary
Nannochloropsis oculata is a unicellular marine microalgae that can absorb sunlight and carbon dioxide in the presence of inorganic nutrients, to produce organic matter through photosynthesis. It has high lipid content, being a promising species for the production of biodiesel; it is used as food in aquaculture, especially for the larval stage of fish and crustaceans due to its easy and rapid cultivation and small size compatible with the feeding mechanism of larvae (WEI et al, 2013). For each microalgal species, productivity and the biochemical composition of the cells depend strongly on the type of culture and the nutrient profile of the medium (GUEDES et al, 2011)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
