Optimization of Chlorella Culture Conditions with Response Surface Methodology to Increase Biomass

Abstract

Microalgae is gaining popularity as a major ingredient in nutrition supplements. To mass cultivate, it is imperative to improve the biomass yield hence optimization of cultures conditions becomes paramount. In this work, an attempt has been made to optimize the microalgal production using response surface methodology (RSM) and validate further the optimized parameters. The optimum conditions for the cultivation of Chlorella sp. KPU016 under optimized nutrient conditions were pH 8.2, the light intensity of 3100 lx, glycerol 1.44 g.L-1 (under pre-set conditions of 12 h lighting, the temperature at 27±1°C. With these RSM-driven optimum conditions, the yield of microalgal biomass achieved was 282.50 mg.L-1. For larger-scale microalgal harvesting, the validated optimal conditions can be inferred as the best for enhanced microalgal production. The isolate was partially sequenced and submitted to the NCBI database and the GenBank accession number is MZ348364.