Production of biomass and carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen and protein contents in microalgae

Abstract

The increase of CO2 emission and other gases greenhouse effect, caused global debates about climatic alterations and stimulated the development of mitigative strategies. Researches in this area includes CO2 kidnapping through the aquatic microalgae production. For this reason, a study was developed aiming to determine the production of dry biomass, carbon content, hydrogen, nitrogen and rate protein growth of nine marine microalgae species (Nannochloropsis oculata, Thalassiosira pseudonana, Phaeodactylum tricornutum, Isochrysis galbana, Tetraselmis suecica, Tetraselmis chuii, Chaetoceros muelleri, Thalassiosira fluviatilis and Isochrysis sp.) and one freshwater species (Chlorella vulgaris) under stationary autotrophy conditions. Erlenmeyers flasks with 800mL medium culture were exposed to constant light intensity and air flow, photon flux density of about 150μmol m-2 s-1 and 25±2°C temperature were used in the experiment The delineating experiment was carried out in a randomized block over time with three replicates. The species C. Vulgaris and T. suecica are less productive. When the aim is the alimentary supplementation, the species C. vulgaris and T. Chuii are considered interesting, since it presents high contents of C, N, H and protein. The species N. Oculata, T. pseudonana and C. vulgaris present high contents of C, demonstrating high capacity of carbon setting.