Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology

The Korean Society for Microbiology and Biotechnology (한국미생물·생명공학회)
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Influence of $CO_2$ on Growth and Hydrocarbon Production in Botryococcus braunii

  • Ranga Rao, A. (Plant Cell Biotechnology Department, Central Food Technological Research Institute) ;
  • Sarada R. (Plant Cell Biotechnology Department, Central Food Technological Research Institute) ;
  • Ravishankar G.A. (Plant Cell Biotechnology Department, Central Food Technological Research Institute)
  • Published : 2007.03.31
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Abstract

Botryococcus braunii is a green colonial fresh water microalga and it is recognized as one of the renewable resources for production of liquid hydrocarbons. CFTRI-Bb-l and CFTRI-Bb-2 have been reported for the first time and their performance with regard to growth and biochemical profile is presented here. The present study focused on effect of carbon dioxide $(CO_2)$ on biomass, hydrocarbon, carbohydrate production, fatty acid profile, and carotenoid content in various species of B. braunii (LB-572, SAG 30.81, MCRC-Bb, N-836, CFTRI-Bb-l, and CFTRI-Bb-2) at 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0% (v/v) levels using a two-tier flask. $CO_2$ at 2.0% (v/v) level enhanced growth of the organism, and a two-fold increase in biomass and carotenoid contents was observed in all the B. braunii strains studied compared with control culture (without $CO_2$ supplementation). At 1 % and 2% (v/v) $CO_2$ concentrations, palmitic acid and oleic acid levels increased by 2.5 to 3 folds in one of the strains of B. braunii (LB-572). Hydrocarbon content was found to be above 20% at 2% $CO_2$ level in the B. braunii LB-572, CFTRI-Bb-2, CFTRI-Bb-l, and N-836 strains, whereas it was less than 20% in the SAG 30.81 and MCRC-Bb strains compared with control culture. This culture methodology will provide information on $CO_2$ requirement for growth of algae and metabolite production. B. braunii spp. can be grown at the tested levels of $CO_2$ concentration without much influence on culture pH.

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References

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