Current Synthetic and Systems Biology
Open Access

Abstract

Evaluation of Five Nannocfhloropsis Sp. Strains for Biodiesel and Poly-Unsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFAs) Production

Hu Qunju, Xiang Wenzhou, Yang Fangfang, Li Tao, Wang Guanghua, Dai Shikun, Wu Hualian and Fan Jiewei

In this study, five Nannochloropsis sp. strains recently isolated from China’s coastal waters were evaluated for their biodiesel and poly-unsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) production potential. The results shown, Nannochloropsis sp. 628 achieved the highest biomass accumulation of 7.05 ± 0.21 g L-1, and Nannochloropsis sp. 1049 was the most promising lipid producer, with lipid content of 61.16 ± 0.03% dry cell weight (DCW) and lipid productivity of 235.89 ± 7.58 mg L-1 d-1. For all the strains, neutral lipid was the predominant component of total lipid which counted for percentages ranging from 69.25 ± 1.06% to 87.31 ± 0.26% total lipid. The favorable fatty acids (FAs) of saturated FAs, monounsaturated FAs and C16-C18 components of total FAs of the strains were all preferable attained. Suitable biodiesel properties within the prescribed limits were also revealed. High production ability of PUFAs (89.27 ± 7.79 mg L-1 to 134.94 ± 9.84 mg L-1) meant PUFAs could be considered as co-products of microalgae biodiesel production. The present study shown the Nannochloropsis sp. strains could be consider as valuable feedstock candidates for biodiesel production.