Combined Effect of Light Intensity, Photoperiod and Phosphorus Levels on Biomass and ‎Chlorophyll Production in Chlorella vulgaris

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, GPO Box 4111, Karaj, Iran

2 Oceans and Atmosphere, CSIRO, GPO Box 1538 Hobart, TAS 7001, Australia

3 Department of Biotechnology, Iranian Research Organization for Science & Technology (IROST), Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Efficient management of economic and sustainable production of microalgae necessitates the strategic utilization of influential growth factors. A pivotal aspect involves optimizing the utilization of photonic energy in conjunction with environmental parameters through elevating algal efficiency to its maximum potential. This investigation delves into the effect of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) on different microalgal species under diverse conditions, specifically exploring the impact of blue light intensity, photoperiod, and phosphorus on biomass and chlorophylls a and b content in Chlorella vulgaris. To achieve this objective, a Response Surface Methodology (RSM) approach was employed. The study revealed that the combination of 40 µmol photons . m-2. s-1, 12:12 photoperiod (light:dark), and 80 mg/L phosphorus in media yielded a biomass production of 40*106 cells/ml and 27.7 mg/L chlorophyll a, respectively. Furthermore, response surface analysis identified the optimal condition at 36.58 µmol photons . m-2 . s-1, a 12:12 photoperiod, and 80 mg/L phosphorus in media, which led to 36.24*106 cells/ml, 27.83 mg/L chlorophyll a, and 5.43 mg/L chlorophyll b, with a remarkable approval rating of 93 percent. These findings indicate the potential of LEDs technology to augment biomass production and enhance the content of bioactive compounds in microalgae, thereby endowing them with significant economic value across diverse industries.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Microbiology, Metabolites and Biotechnology
Volume 7, Issue 2
December 2024
Pages 67-79

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