Effect of Phosphate on Growth and Lipid (Tag) Production in Fresh Water Diatoms

The present work describes the effect of phosphate (Ca3 (Po4) 2) on biodiesel production and growth of freshwater diatoms. The results revealed that the growth of diatoms in terms of number of cells was better at lower concentrations of phosphate. Maximum growth (1x104 cells/ml) could be recorded at 0.05 mg/l which was maintained up to 1.0 mg/l of phosphate concentration However, the growth of diatoms decreased Considerably with the increasing concentration of phosphate Beyond 1.0 mg/l. When the phosphate concentration was increased to 5.0 mg/l, the growth of diatoms was reduced drastically (4x103 cells /ml). The minimum growth (2 x 102) of diatoms in terms of number of cells was recorded in presence of 50 mg/l of phosphate. The addition of phosphate as a supplement was responsible for more chitin production which produced more biodiesel. It was also observed that the rate of biodiesel production was maximum at 900C.