Enhanced biomass production of Scenedesmus obliquus in a flat-panel photobioreactor, grown in photoautotrophic mode

A study on biomass accumulation was conducted with Scenedesmus obliquus CCAP 276/3A in flat-panel photobioreactor, grown in photoautotrophic mode. It is one of the prime prerequisites to increase the economic feasibility and acceptance of microalgal feedstock for biofuel production, besides high lipid concentration. Various physicochemical parameters considered for evaluation during the present study were illumination conditions between 50 and 200 mu mol m(-2) s(-1), temperatures between 22 and 30 degrees C, pH varying from 7 to 9, and with and without the use of buffers. Among the variables, growth temperature and buffering with TRICINE had a pronounced effect on the enhanced biomass production. With an illumination intensity of 150 mu mol m(-2) s(-1) at 24 degrees C in the TRICINE-buffered Bold's Basal medium (pH 8.5) the maximum biomass concentration achieved was 1.76 gL(-1). The specific growth rate of the microalga was found to be 1.28 d(-1). Under these optimized conditions, the maximum lipid accumulation in Scenedesmus obliquus was found to be 33% (w/w). The compositional analysis of the neutral lipids indicated the predominance of palmitic acid and linoleic acid, accounting for 28% and 22.5%, respectively.

Automated summary

The study on biomass accumulation of Scenedesmus obliquus CCAP 276/3A in a flat-panel photobioreactor found that growth temperature and buffering with TRICINE had a significant impact on enhanced biomass production. Under optimized conditions, the maximum biomass concentration achieved was 1.76 g/L, with a maximum lipid accumulation of 33%. The compositional analysis showed that palmitic acid and linoleic acid were the predominant fatty acids, accounting for 28% and 22.5%, respectively.