Nannochloris eucaryotum growth: Kinetic analysis and use of 100% CO2

Microalgae are receiving an increasing attention because of their potential use as CO₂ capture method and/or as feedstock for biofuels production. On the other hand the current microalgae-based technology is still not widespread since it is characterized by technical and economic constraints that hinder its full scale-up. In such contest the growth kinetics of Nannochloris eucaryotum (a relatively unknown marine strain) in batch and semi-batch photobioreactors is quantitatively investigated with the aim of obtaining the corresponding kinetic parameters suitable for process engineering and its optimization. In particular the maximum growth rate was evaluated to be 1.99 10⁻³\;h⁻¹ . Half saturation concentrations for nitrates ( KN ) and phosphates uptake ( KP ) were evaluated as 5.4 10⁻⁴\;gN\;L⁻¹ and 2.5 10⁻⁵\;gP\;L⁻¹ , respectively. Yield factors for nitrogen ( YN ) and phosphorus ( YP ) resulted to be 5.9 10⁻²\;gN\;g⁻¹ biomass and 6.0 10⁻³\;gP\;g⁻¹biomass , respectively. The possibility of using 100% (v/v) CO₂ gas as carbon source is also evaluated for the first time in the literature as far as N. eucaryotum is concerned. The strain showed a good adaptability to high concentrations of dissolved CO₂ as well as to low pH. The lipid content under 100% CO₂ is about 16.16 %wt wt⁻¹ and the fatty acid methyl esters composition of the extracted oil is in compliance with the European regulation for quality biodiesel.