Effects of light intensity on biomass, carbohydrate and fatty acid compositions of three different mixed consortia from natural ecological water bodies.

Abstract This study investigated the effect of light intensity on three various microalga consortia collected from natural ecological water bodies (named A, B and C) towards their fatty acid profiling and fractions, carbohydrate and protein production at different light intensities of 100, 200 and 300 μmol m−2 s−1. The results indicating that increasing light intensity positively correlated with the lipid production than carbohydrate and protein. Irrespective to the solids (Total and Volatile Solid) content, lipids and carbohydrate has varied significantly. Consortia C showed higher productivity toward lipids, whereas consortia A and B accumulated more carbohydrate and protein, respectively. The microscopic images revealed the breakdown of cells during the increase in light intensity, in spite, the similar algal species were observed in all consortia experimented. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that low light intensity aid relatively in high protein, Total Nitrogen and Total Phosphorus, meanwhile high intensity attributed carbohydrates and unsaturated fatty acids (USFA) contents. Highlights • 3 various microalgae consortia have been evaluated at 3 different light intensities. • High light intensity attributed to higher SFA concentrations. • Principal Component Analysis revealed the relativeness of low and high light intensities. • Light intensity of 300 μmol m−2s−1 positively enhanced the C and N content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]