Analysis of cell growth, photosynthetic behavior and the fatty acid profile in Tetraselmis subcordiformis under different lighting scenarios

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Tetraselmis has been investigated as a potential source of lipids. This microalga possesses good growth characteristics and can be used to develop viable platforms for fatty acid production. This research aims to evaluate the efect of high photon fux density with light-dark cycles and light wavelength on biomass production and fatty acid profle in Tetraselmis subcordiformis. A low light control and treatments with high photon fux density with diferent light-dark cycles (24:0 h, 12:12 h, 1:1 h, and 15:15 min) and diferent light wavelength (white, green, red, and blue) were evaluated to determine cell concentration, nutrient consumption, chlorophyll content, photosynthetic yields, lipid content, and fatty acid profle. Signifcant diferences were found in all variables, except for phosphate consumption. High photon fux density promotes cell growth with T. subcordiformis reaching biomass productivities of 0.10 g L-1 day-1 when continuous white light is used. However, no diferences were observed in biomass productivities and lipid content for all high photon fux density treatments. On the other hand, red light resulted in higher cell growth, with a productivity of 0.12 g L-1 day-1, and the highest lipid content was achieved under white light. There was a signifcant efect on the fatty acid profle under diferent light conditions, with palmitic acid, oleic acid, and eicosapentaenoic acid being the most abundant. This study demonstrated that cellular growth and fatty acid profles in T. subcordiformis can be infuenced by diferent lighting schemes in the cultivation.