Application of nutrient stress conditions for hydrocarbon and oil production by Botryococcus braunii

The influence of main nutrient stress conditions KNO3, MgSO4, K2HPO4 and KCI on biofuel production from biomass by two Botryococcus braunii strains has been investigated. Low concentrations of KNO3 and MgSO4 exhibited positive effect on hydrocarbon, oil contents and their relative ratios without much affecting the growth. Most of the saturated hydrocarbons were identified in the range of C-15 to C-44 , the major ones being C17H34, C19H38, C21H44, C24H50 and C27H56. Fatty acids ranged from C-12 to C-28, with palmitic, linoleic, oleic and stearic acids being the major ones. The relative proportion of the desirable biofuel component, palmitic acid, was significantly increased under NO31-, PO43- and potassium stress conditions. These findings suggest that monitoring of concentration of a few nutrients may enhance the quantity and desirable types of biofuel components together with substantial growth of Botryococcus braunii for bioenergy production and for commercial large scale cultivation.