Combination of trace elements and salt stress in different cultivation modes improves the lipid productivity of Scenedesmus spp.

The genus Scenedesmus harbors around 120 species, and some strains have been successfully used for mass culture and biotechnological applications. Considering the potential of this genus as a promising feedstock for production of biofuels, mainly biodiesel, it was evaluated the combined effects of trace elements, salinity stress and different cultivation modes (single batch, semi-continuous, and two-stage batch) on lipid productivity of the freshwater strains S. obliquus BR003 and S. bajacalifornicus BR024. Cultivation of BR003 and BR024 applying culture medium supplemented with trace elements and salt stress sustained a higher production of lipids. However, S. obliquus BR003 and S. bajacalifornicus BR024 showed different concentrations of neutral and total lipids when cultivated in batch-based and semi-continuous modes, and the batch-based modes were preferred for the production of lipids and carbohydrates. Consequently, different cultivation strategies coupled with slight salt stress improve the lipid productivity in Scenedesmus strains.