Characterization of different microalgae cultivated in open ponds

Abstract

Microalga is one of the main sources of biomasses for the production of biofuels in the 21st century. Many labs and industries around the world are seeking for more productive strains and better cultivation models. The aim of this work was to evaluate the growth and kinetic parameters of six microalgae, and the moisture and lipid contents and fatty acids profiles of the biomasses harvested at the end of each cultivation. The microalgae were isolated in the Mid-Western Region of Brazil cultivated in open pond systems. It was observed that among the six microalgae used in this work, Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata presented the higher maximum specific growth rate (μmax) (0.12 day-1). The microalgae Coelastrum sp. and P. subcapitata were the ones with the highest lipid contents, with approximately 20% of dry mass. The main fatty acid accumulated in these conditions was palmitic acid, with percentages of 59 to 69% for all microalgae evaluated. Other factors that had influenced results from cultivations in open ponds were discussed here.