Journal
ANALYTICAL BIOCHEMISTRY
Volume 465, Issue -, Pages 81-89Publisher
ACADEMIC PRESS INC ELSEVIER SCIENCE
DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2014.07.020
Keywords
Neutral lipid assay; Nile red; Chlorella spp.; GC-MS; Gravimetric; TLC
Funding
- National Science Foundation (NSF) [DGE-0948021, MCB-1139644]
- Directorate For Engineering [1438211] Funding Source: National Science Foundation
- Div Of Chem, Bioeng, Env, & Transp Sys [1438211] Funding Source: National Science Foundation
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Lipid quantitation is widespread in the algae literature, but popular methods such as gravimetry, gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and Nile red cell staining suffer drawbacks, including poor quantitation of neutral lipids, expensive equipment, and variable results among algae species, respectively. A high-throughput microplate assay was developed that uses Nile red dye to quantify neutral lipids that have been extracted from algae cells. Because the algal extracts contained pigments that quenched Nile red fluorescence, a mild bleach solution was used to destroy pigments, resulting in a nearly linear response for lipid quantities in the range of 0.75 to 40 mu g. Corn oil was used as a standard for quantitation, although other vegetable oils displayed a similar response. The assay was tested on lipids extracted from three species of Chlorella and resulted in close agreement with triacylglycerol (TAG) levels determined by thin layer chromatography. The assay was found to more accurately measure algal lipids conducive to biodiesel production and nutrition applications than the widely used gravimetric assay. Assay response was also consistent among different species, in contrast to Nile red cell staining procedures. (c) 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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