Sources and resources: importance of nutrients, resource allocation, and ecology in microalgal cultivation for lipid accumulation

• Published in: Applied microbiology and biotechnology 2014-06, Vol.98 (11), p.4805-4816
• Main Authors: Fields, Matthew W., Hise, Adam, Lohman, Egan J., Bell, Tisza, Gardner, Rob D., Corredor, Luisa, Moll, Karen, Peyton, Brent M., Characklis, Gregory W., Gerlach, Robin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 09 BIOMASS FUELS; Accumulation; Algae; Algal biofilm; Alternative energy sources; Analysis; Aquatic plants; Bacillariophyceae; Biodiesel fuels; Biofilms; Biofuel; Biofuel ecology; Biofuels; Biomass; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biosynthesis; Biotechnology; Carbon - metabolism; Carbon dioxide; Carbon dioxide emissions; Carbon sources; Cell growth; Chlorophyta - growth & development; Chlorophyta - metabolism; Diatoms - growth & development; Diatoms - metabolism; Ecology; Economic impact; Energy; Energy Metabolism; Environmental aspects; Environmental impact; Growth; Hydrocarbons; Inorganic carbon; Life cycle analysis; Life Sciences; Light; Lipid Metabolism; Lipids; Metabolism; Microalgae; Microbial Genetics and Genomics; Microbiology; Microorganisms; Mini-Review; Nitrogen; Nutrient availability; Nutrients; Phosphorus; Photosynthesis; Physiological aspects; Plankton; Recycle; Resource allocation; Studies
• ISSN: 0175-7598; 1432-0614
• DOI: 10.1007/s00253-014-5694-7

Regardless of current market conditions and availability of conventional petroleum sources, alternatives are needed to circumvent future economic and environmental impacts from continued exploration and harvesting of conventional hydrocarbons. Diatoms and green algae (microalgae) are eukaryotic photoautotrophs that can utilize inorganic carbon (e.g., CO 2 ) as a carbon source and sunlight as an energy source, and many microalgae can store carbon and energy in the form of neutral lipids. In addition to accumulating useful precursors for biofuels and chemical feed stocks, the use of autotrophic microorganisms can further contribute to reduced CO 2 emissions through utilization of atmospheric CO 2 . Because of the inherent connection between carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus in biological systems, macronutrient deprivation has been proven to significantly enhance lipid accumulation in different diatom and algae species. However, much work is needed to understand the link between carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus in controlling resource allocation at different levels of biological resolution (cellular versus ecological). An improved understanding of the relationship between the effects of N, P, and micronutrient availability on carbon resource allocation (cell growth versus lipid storage) in microalgae is needed in conjunction with life cycle analysis. This mini-review will briefly discuss the current literature on the use of nutrient deprivation and other conditions to control and optimize microalgal growth in the context of cell and lipid accumulation for scale-up processes.