Yu Zhong1, Peng Jin1, Jay J Cheng2,3. 1. School of Environment and Energy, Peking University-Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, 518055, China. 2. School of Environment and Energy, Peking University-Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, 518055, China. chengjy@pkusz.edu.cn. 3. Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA. chengjy@pkusz.edu.cn.
Abstract
MAIN CONCLUSION: Microalgae treated with blue light have potential for production of human nutrition supplement and biofuel due to their higher biomass productivity and favorable fatty acid composition. Chlorella vulgaris, Chlorella pyrenoidosa, Scenedesmus quadricauda and Scenedesmus obliquus are representative green microalgae which are widely reported for algal production. In this study, we provide a systematic investigation of the biomass productivity, photosynthetic pigments, chlorophyll fluorescence and fatty acid content of the four green microalgae. The strains were grown in two primary monochromatic light wavelengths [red and blue LEDs (light emitting diode)], and in white LED conditions, respectively. Among them, blue LED light was determined as the best light for growth rate, followed by red LED and white LED. The chlorophyll generation was more sensitive to the monochromatic blue light. The polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) such as α-linolenic acid (18:3), which were perfect for human nutrition supplementation, showed high concentrations in these algae strains under blue LED. Collectively, the results indicate that the blue LED is suitable for various food, feed, and algal biofuel productions due to both biomass and fatty acid productivity.
MAIN CONCLUSION: Microalgae treated with blue light have potential for production of human nutrition supplement and biofuel due to their higher biomass productivity and favorable fatty acid composition. Chlorella vulgaris, Chlorella pyrenoidosa, Scenedesmus quadricauda and Scenedesmus obliquus are representative green microalgae which are widely reported for algal production. In this study, we provide a systematic investigation of the biomass productivity, photosynthetic pigments, chlorophyll fluorescence and fatty acid content of the four green microalgae. The strains were grown in two primary monochromatic light wavelengths [red and blue LEDs (light emitting diode)], and in white LED conditions, respectively. Among them, blue LED light was determined as the best light for growth rate, followed by red LED and white LED. The chlorophyll generation was more sensitive to the monochromatic blue light. The polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) such as α-linolenic acid (18:3), which were perfect for human nutrition supplementation, showed high concentrations in these algae strains under blue LED. Collectively, the results indicate that the blue LED is suitable for various food, feed, and algal biofuel productions due to both biomass and fatty acid productivity.
Entities:
Keywords:
Biomass production; Blue LED light; Chlorophyll fluorescence; Fatty acids; Microalgae; Red LED light; White light
Authors: Bojan Tamburic; Milán Szabó; Nhan-An T Tran; Anthony W D Larkum; David J Suggett; Peter J Ralph Journal: Bioresour Technol Date: 2014-07-08 Impact factor: 9.642