Effects of Some Nutritional Factors on the Growth of Chlorella vulgaris in a Mixotrophic Cultivation
Mau Trinh-Dang *
Faculty of Biology and Environmental Sciences, University of Science and Education (University of Danang), Danang, Vietnam.
Oanh Truong Thi Kim
Faculty of Biology and Environmental Sciences, University of Science and Education (University of Danang), Danang, Vietnam.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The microalgae Chlorella vulgaris is not only known as a source of lipid compounds for the biofuel industry but also as a potential source of biomass production for aquaculture. This study investigated the influence of some nutritional factors (organic carbon source and C:N ratio) on the growth rate of Chlorella vulgaris. Glucose, sodium acetate, and sucrose were used to check the effect of the carbon sources. Meanwhile, five different ratios of C:N (1:1, 6:1, 12:1, 18:1, and 24:1) were tested. Results showed that glucose was the most suitable source of organic carbon for the biomass development of the Chlorella vulgaris; the ratio C:N=18:1 equivalent to 52.92 mmol/L carbon and 2.94 mmol/L nitrogen is the most appropriate ratio to promote biomass increase. The maximum growth rate of C. vulgaris recorded in this study was 0.58±0.03 day-1 in treatment supplemented with glucose at ratio C:N=18:1.
Keywords: Chlorella vulgaris, mixotrophic, organic carbon, C:N ratio