Lipid analysis in Haematococcus pluvialis to assess its potential use as a biodiesel feedstock

DAMIANI, C.; POPOVICH, C.; CONSTENLA, D.; LEONARDI, P.

BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY

ELSEVIER SCI LTD

Año: 2010 vol. 101 p. 3801 - 3807

0960-8524

abstractThe lipid content and composition of Haematococcus pluvialis exposed to stress conditions were analyzedto assess the potential of this microalga as a biodiesel feedstock. The total lipid content of control cellswas 15.61% dw, whereas that of cells exposed to continuous high light intensity with nitrogen-sufficientmedium (A-stress condition) or under continuous high light intensity with nitrogen-deprivation medium(B-stress condition) was 34.85% dw and 32.99% dw, respectively. The fatty acid profile was similar underall conditions and indicated that the main components were palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic, linolenic andlinolelaidic acids. The neutral lipid fraction increased about 2-fold under both stress conditions. The per-centage of saturated fatty acids in the neutral lipid fraction was 30.36% and 29.62% in cultures grownunder A-stress and B-stress, respectively, and 27.81% under control conditions. The monounsaturatedfatty acid content was not significantly different in control and A-stress cultures (20.07% and 19.91%,respectively), but was 18.96% under B-stress. The content of polyunsaturated fatty acids was 47.23%under B-stress and 43.15% under A-stress. Growth-rate was higher under A-stress compared to B-stress.This is the first study of H. pluvialis that provides a detailed characterization of its lipid content in relationto bioenergy. The results indicate the potential of this microalga as a biodiesel feedstock; however, cul-ture conditions still have to be improved in order to achieve an adequate energy balance in mass culture. 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.