Effect of ferric ion on nitrogen consumption, biomass and oil accumulation of a Scenedesmus rubescens-like microalga.

ABSTRACT

This investigation examined the effects of ferric ion source and concentration on the biomass yield, fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) productivity and composition from Scenedesmus rubescens-like microalga. The algae cultivated with Fe(2+)-SO(4)(2-)/EDTA had higher ash free dry biomass (AFDB) production and in vivo chlorophyll a concentration than those with Fe(2+)-SO(4)(2-) and Fe(3+)-Cl(-) (P<0.001). The high or low Fe(2+) concentration can partly restrict the ammonia consumption, the AFDB and FAME accumulation. The algae at 1mg/L Fe(2+) concentration had the highest AFDB and FAME productivity (341.1 ± 25.8 and 107.8 ± 19.3mg/L/d) (P<0.001). The mean content of C16 and C18 series at all Fe(2+) concentrations was 88.6% ± 2.9% of total FAME, and it decreased with the increase of Fe(2+) concentrations. Among the fatty acids profiles, the contents of C18 0, C18 1n-7 and C18 1n-9 are significantly changed under the different Fe(2+) concentrations, but not the contents of C16 series.