In this study, a new microalgal strain, Asterarcys quadricellulare R-56, was isolated for biomass and lipid production. The effects of carbon and nitrogen sources and initial pH on the cell growth and lipid accumulation of strain R-56 were investigated. At 10 g L-1 glucose, 0.6 g L-1 sodium nitrate, and pH 7, the highest biomass of 4.18 g L-1 and lipid content of 43.66% were obtained. Microalgae had a broad pH tolerance in the range of 5-11, and the pH of the culture medium was close to neutral at the end of cultivation. The maximum contents of chlorophyll, carbohydrate, and protein under the recommended culture conditions were 19.47 mg mL-1, 21.80%, and 29.94%, respectively. Palmitic and palmitoleic acid contents in strain R-56 accounted for as high as 83.73% of total fatty acids. This study suggested that strain R-56 was a promising lipid producer for high-quality biodiesel production.
Keywords: Algal cultivation; Biofuel; Biomass; Fatty acid component; Nutrients; Strain selection.
© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.