Changes in the Oil Production and Fatty Acid Composition in Chlorella vulgaris

Chlorella vulgaris (single cell microalgae) has recently been paid attention as an alternate source of oil. Effects of several parameters on the yields of oil production and fatty acid (FA) profile of the produced oil by C. vulgaris were investigated in th is study. Taguchi's experimental approach was used to design the experiments. Yields of oil production were increased when using red and blue lights as sources of photosynthetic energy. Maximum yield of oil production was obtained at 27.0 μM iron at 25±2°C . Increasing the concentrations of NaCl and bicarbonate ion resulted in corresponding decreases in oil production. Maximum level of unsaturated FA was produced when the lowest levels of NaCl and bicarbonate ion were used at 27.0 μm iron levels and at 25±2° C with red light. Ratio of unsaturated to saturated FAs was increased when the oil production was at its optimum level.