Effect of photoperiod, light intensity and carbon sources on biomass and lipid productivities of Isochrysis galbana.

Biomass and lipid productivities of Isochrysis galbana were optimized using nutrients of molasses (4, 8, 12 g l(-1)), glucose (4, 8, 12 g l(-1)), glycerol (4, 8, 12 g l(-1)) and yeast extract (2 g l(-1)). Combinations of carbon sources at different ratios were evaluated in which the alga was grown at three different light intensities (50, 100 and 150 μmol m(-2) s(-1)) under the influence of three different photoperiod cycles (12/12, 18/6 and 24/0 h light/dark). A maximum cell density of 8.35 g l(-1) with 32 % (w/w) lipid was achieved for mixotrophic growth at 100 μmol m(-2) s(-1) and 18/6 h light/dark with molasses/glucose (20:80 w/w). Mixotrophic cultivation using molasses, glucose and glycerol was thus effective for the cultivation of I. galbana.