Abstract Detail

Phycological Section

Davoodbasha , MubarakAli [1], Johnson , Shani [2], Thiyagarajan , Shenbagavalli [1], Thayalan , Mari Nivetha [1], Ramasamy , Praveenkumar [1], Asokraja , Ilavarasi  [1], Abdulazees , Parveez Ahamed [1], Nooruddin , Thajuddin  [1], Muthukumaran, Gunasekaran [2].

Nutritional based optimization of increased lipid content in freshwater microalgae, Scenedesmus bijugatus var bicellularis for biodiesel feedstock .

Many alternative bio-feedstocks are currently being exploited for biodiesel production, out of that; microalgae have emerged as one of the most promising candidate for biofuels. In the present study, fresh water microalgae, Scenedesmus bijugatus var bicellularis was isolated, morphologically characterized and subsequently mass cultivated in Bold's basal medium. The cells were harvested during their stationary growth phase and it was re-inoculated in the same medium with different nitrogen concentration (0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% and 100%) to identify the optimal nitrate concentration for lipid production. The total lipid content was estimated at logarithmic and early stationary phases. The maximum lipid content of about 42.3% and minimum of 24.9% were estimated at 60% and 0% of nitrate concentration in dry cell weight respectively. The fatty acid profile of the lipids extracted from the cells, which grown at 60% and 100% (as control) nitrate concentration. The major fatty acids were found to be C18:0, C20:0, C17:1 and C16:0. The obtained data depicted that the cells grown with 60% nitrate deficiency showed higher levels of saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids than the polyunsaturated fatty acids which is important for biodiesel applications. Additionally, the linolenic acid content was also found to be below 12%, which is also advantageous to use this strain as biodiesel feedstock. This is being the first report in utilizing Scenedesmus bijugatus var bicellularis for its oil content.

Broader Impacts:

1 - Bharathidasan University, Microbiology, School of Life sciences, Tiruchirappali, Tamil Nadu, 620 024, India
2 - Fisk University, Biology, 1000 17th Ave North, Nashville, TN, 37208, USA

Keywords:
Microalgae
Scenedesmus
Biodiesel feedstock.

Presentation Type: Poster:Posters for Sections
Session: P
Location: Khorassan Ballroom/Chase Park Plaza
Date: Monday, July 11th, 2011
Time: 5:30 PM
Number: PPC003
Abstract ID:589