Two-stage heterotrophic and phototrophic culture strategy for algal biomass and lipid production

• Published in: Bioresource technology 2012-01, Vol.103 (1), p.484-488
• Main Authors: Zheng, Yubin, Chi, Zhanyou, Lucker, Ben, Chen, Shulin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Algae; Biological and medical sciences; Biomass; Cell Count; Cell Culture Techniques - methods; Chlamydomonas - cytology; Chlamydomonas - growth & development; Chlorella - cytology; Chlorella - growth & development; Chlorella sorokiniana; Culture; Density; Escherichia coli - growth & development; Escherichia coli - metabolism; Fatty Acids - metabolism; Food; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Heterotrophic; Heterotrophic Processes; Lipid; Lipids; Lipids - biosynthesis; Microalgae; Phototrophic; Phototrophic Processes; Seeds; Strategy; Waste Disposal, Fluid; Waste Products; Waste water
• ISSN: 0960-8524; 1873-2976
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2011.09.122

► Develop a novel two-stage heterotrophic and phototrophic algae culture strategy. ► Investigate the growth kinetics of phototrophic and heterotrophic cultures. ► Reduce cost by using food waste and wastewater. ► Study performances of heterotrophic algal seed under phototrophic conditions. ► Control contamination with large volume inoculation of heterotrophic seeds. A two-stage heterotrophic and phototrophic culture strategy for algal biomass and lipid production was studied, wherein high density heterotrophic cultures of Chlorellasorokiniana serve as seed for subsequent phototrophic growth. The data showed growth rate, cell density and productivity of heterotrophic C.sorokiniana were 3.0, 3.3 and 7.4 times higher than phototrophic counterpart, respectively. Hetero- and phototrophic algal seeds had similar biomass/lipid production and fatty acid profile when inoculated into phototrophic culture system. To expand the application, food waste and wastewater were tested as feedstock for heterotrophic growth, and supported cell growth successfully. These results demonstrated the advantages of using heterotrophic algae cells as seeds for open algae culture system. Additionally, high inoculation rate of heterotrophic algal seed can be utilized as an effective method for contamination control. This two-stage heterotrophic phototrophic process is promising to provide a more efficient way for large scale production of algal biomass and biofuels.