1. Light intensity impacts the production of biofuel intermediates in Heterosigma akashiwo growing on simulated flue gas containing carbon dioxide and nitric oxide.
- Author
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Bianco CM, Stewart JJ, Miller KR, Fitzgerald C, and Coyne KJ
- Subjects
- Biomass, Carbon Dioxide chemistry, Industrial Waste, Light, Lipids biosynthesis, Microalgae metabolism, Nitric Oxide chemistry, Biofuels, Microalgae growth & development, Photobioreactors microbiology, Waste Management methods
- Abstract
As a potential biofuel feedstock, the marine microalga, Heterosigma akashiwo, accumulates significant lipids, is capable of long-term growth in outdoor photobioreactors, and is an excellent candidate for the bioremediation of industrial emissions. Here, we evaluated resource partitioning in H. akashiwo growing on a CO2 and NO gas mixture under three light intensities: 160, 560, or 1200μmolquantam(-2)s(-1). Light levels had no effect on growth; however, cultures in high light accumulated 2.3-fold more carbohydrates and 17% fewer lipids. Light levels did not affect the percentage of saturated fatty acids, but mono-unsaturates increased by 6% and poly-unsaturates decreased by 12% in high light. The fatty acid profiles reported here suggest that H. akashiwo is a good candidate for the production of neutral lipids for biodiesel and also omega-3 fatty acids, and that the quality of biodiesel acquired from feedstocks grown under fluctuating light conditions would be relatively stable., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)
- Published
- 2016
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