Effects of different media composition, light intensity and photoperiod on morphology and physiology of freshwater microalgae Ankistrodesmus falcatus – A potential strain for bio-fuel production

• Ankistrodesmus falcatus can be used as a potential biofuel feedstock.
• Highest lipid of 67.2% was observed in Zarrouk’s medium.
• Similar lipid and biomass yield was observed in BG-11 and CHU-10 medium.
• Optimum DCW and lipid was observed under 60 μmol m−2 s−1 and 12L:12D regimes.

Media composition, light intensity and photoperiod significantly affect the algal growth and productivity and their optimization is important for the commercialization of microalgae based biofuels. In the present study, effects of different culture medium, light intensity and photoperiod were studied on growth, biomass productivity, and biochemical composition of a fresh water microalgae Ankistrodesmus falcatus in batch culture. The results revealed that A. falcatus could yield more than 35% of total lipid (containing around 65.74% neutral lipid) along with optimal growth (0.20 μ) and biomass productivity (7.9 mg/L/day) in the BG-11 medium under a light intensity of 60 μmol m−2 s−1 and 12:12 (Light: Dark) cycle. The highest total lipid yield of 67.2% (containing 72.68% of neutral lipid) was observed in Zarrouk’s medium grown culture but with altered cell morphology and ultra-structural changes.

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