LIPIDS ACCUMULATION OF CHLORELLA VULGARIS UNDER VARIABLE LIGHTING CONDITIONS

Abstract

The cultivation of microalgae is now an intensively developed research area. Some species of microalgae under appropriate conditions accumulate large amounts of lipids in the cells, which may be a suitable feedstock for biodiesel production. The cultures of microalgae for lipids production should be cultivated in specific physicochemical conditions. The most important environmental parameters affecting the algae growth are: nutrients, lighting, reaction, turbulence, salinity and temperature. Periodic changes in lighting is a key parameter that have a significant effect on cells density and lipid accumulation. The mechanism of this action depends on intensity of light and its spectral composition. To produce 3^rd and 4^th generation biofuels, a better understanding of the relationship between light conditions and yield of lipids accumulation is necessary. The aim of the study was to determine the effects of variable lighting conditions for lipids accumulation of microalgae Chlorella vulgaris and to determine the most effective lighting parameters. The study confirmed the possibility of using the lighting shock conditions to maximize lipids accumulation in algae Chlorella vulgaris cells. In the study, 33.18% of lipids were obtained from biomass culturing with red light-emitting diodes (LEDs), which was 22% more than obtained with white continuous lighting.

Keywords: microalgae, chlorella vulgaris, photobioreactors, lipids, light, biodiesel

Article DOI: http://doi.org/10.15544/RD.2017.203