Optimization of biomass and fatty acid productivity of Desmodesmus intermedius as a promising microalga for biodiesel production

ABSTRACT

The present study aimed to optimize the culture conditions for algal growth and lipid production of Desmodesmus intermedius. Different environmental factors including nitrogen content, salinity, kinetin hormone, vitamin B₁₂, and light intensity were applied individually or in combination using Plackett–Burman statistical experimental design. In addition, the impact of optimized conditions on fatty acids profile and biodiesel quality was studied. Results revealed that the maximum lipid and biomass production for individual study optimization was recorded using 125 mg/L sodium nitrate, 12.5 mg/L sodium chloride, 10⁻⁷ mol/L kinetin, and 10⁻² mg/L vitamin B₁₂, at 4500 lux. In addition, Plackett-Burman model revealed that combination of sodium nitrate (125 mg/L), sodium chloride (25 mg/L), Kinetin hormone (0 mol/L), vitamin B₁₂ (0 mg/L), and Light intensity (4500 Lux) resulted in maximum lipid productivity. The overall enhancements in lipid productivities using Plaktt–Berman model were 20% and 61.6% over individual optimization and control, respectively. Fatty acids profile for D. intermedius recorded the presence of 14 fatty acids. These fatty acids are suitable to produce high-quality biodiesel.

KEYWORDS:

• Desmodesmus intermedius
• biodiesel
• FAMEs
• microalgae
• optimization

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Mostafa M. El-Sheekh

Mostafa M. El-Sheekh is Professor of Phycology. He has nearly 35 years of experience in research and teaching in the field of algae and its applications. Dr. El-Sheekh served as the Dean Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Egypt and Cultural counselor in the Egyptian Embassy in Yemen and Uzbekistan. Dr. El-Sheekh holds a Ph.D. in Phycology from Tanta University and Göttingen University, Germany as a Chanel system fellowship. Notably, Dr. El-Sheekh has authored more than 150 manuscripts, and 7 Book chapters and 2 books.  Dr. El-Sheekh also serves as editorial member and reviewer for more than 60 peer-reviewed Journals. He published many papers on the production of biodiesel, ethanol, and hydrogen from algae.

Hamed M. Eladel

Hamed M. Eladel is currently a Professor at Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Benha University, Egypt. In 1999, he received his Ph.D. in Phycology. His research interest is freshwater microalgae.

Abd El-Fatah Abomohra

Abd El-Fatah Abomohra is currently a faculty member at Tanta University (EGYPT) and Jiangsu University (CHINA). In 2012, Abd El-Fatah received his Ph.D. in Phycology through a sandwich research program between Tanta University and Hamburg University (GERMANY). His main research interest is bioenergy from algae.

Mohamed G. Battah

Mohamed G. Battah, Professor at Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Benha University, Egypt. In 1992, he received his PhD in Phycology from Moscow University, Russia. His research interest is in the field of algae.

Soha A. Mohamed

Soha A. Mohamed is currently a Lecturer at Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Benha University, Egypt. In 2017, she received her Ph.D. in Phycology. Her research interest is applied phycology.