Biomass production and fatty acid profile of a Scenedesmus rubescens-like microalga

► Combined N and P deficiency affects biomass yield, FAME composition and productivity of Scenedesmus rubescens-like alga. ► The combined deficiency increased the FAME yield and also raised C16 and C18 content. ► The combined N and P deficiency affected the finial FAME production. Lower N (3-10 mM) and low P (20 μM) is an optimal combination tested to produce the most FAME from S.rubescens-like alga.