Haematococcus pluvialis as a triacylglycerol source for biodiesel and valuable co-products

SCODELARO BILBAO, P; DAMIANI, C; MARTIN, L; POPOVICH, C; SALVADOR, G; LEONARDI, P

Rosario

Congreso; L Reunion Anual de SAIb; 2014

SAIB

Haematoccocus pluvialis is an oleaginous microalga which has been previously described as an important source of TAG for biodiesel production. Our purpose in this work was to describe the effects of light-induced stress on H. pluvialis lipid metabolism. For this end microalgae samples were collected from rainwater in Bahia Blanca (Argentina) and cell cultures were grown in appropriate media and maintained under control conditions or light-induced stress (300 μmol photons m-2 s-1) for 3, 6 and 12 days. After treatments, pigment content and lipid characterization was analyzed. Under light-induced stress conditions microalga cultures showed increased levels of astaxantin and diminished chlorophyll content. Lipid peroxides were increased by ----%, % and % with respect to control conditions after 3, 6 and 12 days of photic stress respectively. A similar profile was observed for phytosterols content. After 12 days of light-induced stress, H pluvialis cultures showed the maximal TAG accumulation (---- %) with respect to control conditions. Fatty acid profile analyzed by GLC was similar in all the assayed conditions. TAG accumulation was accompanied by a strong diminution in the protein content and in the density of cultures. Our results suggest that H. pluvialis culture conditions trigger TAG accumulation suitable for bioenergy production.