Use of orange peel extract for mixotrophic cultivation of Chlorella vulgaris: increased production of biomass and FAMEs

Bioresour Technol. 2014 Nov:171:343-9. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2014.08.109. Epub 2014 Aug 30.

Abstract

Mass cultivation of microalgae is necessary to achieve economically feasible production of microalgal biodiesel, but the high cost of nutrients is a major limitation. In this study, orange peel extract (OPE) was used as an inorganic and organic nutrient source for the cultivation of Chlorella vulgaris OW-01. Chemical composition analysis of the OPE indicated that it contains sufficient nutrients for mixotrophic cultivation of C. vulgaris OW-01. Analysis of biomass and FAME production showed that microalgae grown in OPE medium produced 3.4-times more biomass and 4.5-times more fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) than cells cultured in glucose-supplemented BG 11 medium (BG-G). These results suggest that growth of microalgae in an OPE-supplemented medium increases lipid production and that OPE has potential for use in the mass cultivation of microalgae.

Keywords: Biomass production; Chlorella vulgaris; Cost effective cultivation; FAME production; Orange peel extract.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biofuels
  • Biomass*
  • Cell Culture Techniques / methods
  • Chlorella vulgaris / growth & development*
  • Chlorella vulgaris / metabolism
  • Citrus sinensis / chemistry*
  • Culture Media / chemistry*
  • Fatty Acids / biosynthesis*
  • Fruit / chemistry*
  • Plant Extracts / analysis
  • Plant Extracts / metabolism*

Substances

  • Biofuels
  • Culture Media
  • Fatty Acids
  • Plant Extracts