Comparing the Effect of C, N, and P Factors on Photosynthesis, Biomass, and Lipid Production in Chlorella sp.

Abstract

Microalgae can be used as a promising biofuel material that offers a high amount of lipid production and fast growth rate. Nutrient compositions and concentrations are important factors related to the lipid production and accumulation in many algae species. In this work, nutrient availabilities with different concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus, and carbon were studied in a single impact factor experiment to investigate their effects on the algal biomass and lipid production of Chlorella sp. The results indicate that lowering the nitrogen concentration could maximize the lipid production, and appropriate K2HPO4 and Na2CO3 concentration could have benefits for lipid content production. Therefore, the effects of nutrient availabilities on lipid productivity were concluded in the order of N (nitrogen concentration) > C (carbon concentration) > P (phosphorus concentration), with nitrogen playing the biggest role in lipid production activities. The results can provide a fundamental understanding of nutrient availabilities’ effects on cell growth and lipid production in the algae Chlorella sp.