Influence of Culture Medium on Desmodesmus sp. Growth and Lipid Accumulation for Biodiesel Production

Abstract

Biodiesel production is currently a highly researched topic due to environmental issues as well as a possible biofuel to contribute with the energetic matrix regarding transportation. Among potencial alternative feedstock for biodiesel production microalgae appear as a possibility in view of its advantages in comparison to conventional crops, since they present high photosynthetic activity, exponential growth rates and high biomass productivities. In this investigation, the influence of two culture media (BG-11 and Guillard f/2) on the growth and lipid accumulation of the Desmodesmus sp. microalgae was assessed. Microalgal growth in BG-11 medium reached higher cell count in the considered time period and the microalgae presented higher lipid fraction in relation to the Guillard f/2 medium, thus being the most suitable medium for Desmodesmus sp. cultivation.