Investigation of biomass and lipids production with Neochloris oleoabundans in photobioreactor

Jeremy Pruvost (1, 2) , G. van Vooren (2) , G. Cogne (2) , J. Legrand (2)

1 EPUN - Ecole Polytechnique de l'Université de Nantes
2 GEPEA-BAM - Bioprocédés Appliqués aux Microalgues

The fresh water microalga Neochloris oleoabundans was investigated for its ability to accumulate lipids and especially triacylglycerols (TAG). A systematic study was conducted, from the determination of the growth medium to its characterization in an airlift photobioreactor. Without nutrient limitation, a maximal biomass areal productivity of 16.5 g m−2 day−1 was found. Effects of nitrogen starvation to induce lipids accumulation was next investigated. Due to initial N. oleoabundans total lipids high content (23% of dry weight), highest productivity was obtained without mineral limitation with a maximal total lipids productivity of 3.8 g m−2 day−1. Regarding TAG, an almost similar productivity was found whatever the protocol was: continuous production without mineral limitation (0.5 g m−2 day−1) or batch production with either sudden or progressive nitrogen deprivation (0.7 g m−2 day−1). The decrease in growth rate reduces the benefit of the important lipids and TAG accumulation as obtained in nitrogen starvation (37% and 18% of dry weight, respectively).

Mots clés: Neochloris oleoabundans; Biodiesel; Photobioreactor; TAG; Lipids

Domaines: Biotechnologies; Génie des procédés

Jeremy Pruvost, G. van Vooren, G. Cogne, J. Legrand. Investigation of biomass and lipids production with Neochloris oleoabundans in photobioreactor. Bioresource Technology, 2009, 100 (23), pp.5988-5995. ⟨10.1016/j.biortech.2009.06.004⟩. ⟨hal-02534179⟩