Mixotrophic growth with acetate or volatile fatty acids maximizes growth and lipid production in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

• Published in: Algal research (Amsterdam) 2013-10, Vol.2 (4), p.352-357
• Main Authors: Moon, Myounghoon, Kim, Chul Woong, Park, Won-Kun, Yoo, Gursong, Choi, Yoon-E, Yang, Ji-Won
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acetate; Chlamydomonas reinhardtii; Fatty acid methyl ester (FAME); Microalgae; Mixotrophic cultivation; Volatile fatty acids (VFAs)
• ISSN: 2211-9264; 2211-9264
• DOI: 10.1016/j.algal.2013.09.003

We measured the growth of and lipid production by the model microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii under different phototrophic, heterotrophic, and mixotrophic conditions to determine the optimal conditions for growth and biodiesel production. In particular, we examined cell growth and yield of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) when C. reinhardtii was cultured in the presence of different organic carbon sources (acetate, glucose, glycerol, and sucrose). C. reinhardtii grew under various conditions, but mixotrophic cultivation was best. The greatest biomass production (2.15gL−1 in 5days) and FAME yield (16.41% of biomass) were observed under mixotrophic cultivation with acetate (10gL−1). As an alternative to acetate, we additionally tested the use of volatile fatty acids (VFAs; acetic, propionic, and butyric acids), which can be inexpensively produced through fermentation of food waste. The highest FAME yield (19.02% of biomass) and biomass production (2.05gL−1 in 5days) were obtained with 5gL−1 of VFAs. This result indicates that VFAs can serve as an inexpensive alternative carbon source for maximizing lipid production in mixotrophic cultivation of C. reinhardtii. •We compared growth of C. reinhardtii under photo-, hetero-, and mixotrophic modes.•High biomass and FAME yield was obtained in mixotrophic with acetate.•We enhanced economical feasibility by replacing acetate with VFAs.•VFAs were proved as a promising carbon source for microalgal biodiesel production.