Studies on the Effect of Nitrogen Nutrition on Growth and Lipid Content of Microalga Botryococcus braunii KSV 1

Abstract

Sodium nitrate at a concentration of 17.6mM (1X) is the preferred nitrogen source for enhancing the biomass and lipid productivity of Botryococcus braunii KSV1 in BG -11 medium over different concentrations of other nitrogen sources viz., potassium nitrate, ammonium sulphate, ammonium nitrate and urea. Optimal biomass productivity (0.0521g/L/day) and lipid productivity (around 10 mg/L/day) for this microalga were obtained with 1.0X and 0.75X strength BG-11 medium respectively. Botryococcus braunii KSV1 grew better in BG-11 medium at strength 1.0X, whereas 0.5X - 0.75X strengths increased lipid production.