Effect of carbon sources on growth and lipid accumulation of newly isolated microalgae cultured under mixotrophic condition

• Reports a novel microalgal isolate Chlorella sp. Y8-1.
• The high lipid content was obtained under mixotrophic condition.
• Fatty acid compositions of microalgae Y8-1 are appropriate for biodiesel production.

In order to produce microalgal lipids that can be transformed to biodiesel fuel, one isolate with high lipid content was identified as Chlorella sp. Y8-1. The growth and lipid productivity of an isolated microalga Chlorella sp. Y8-1 were investigated under different cultivation conditions, including autotrophic growth (CO2, with light), heterotrophic growth (sucrose, without light) and mixotrophic growth (organic carbon sources and CO2, with light). Mixotrophic Chlorella sp. Y8-1 showed higher lipid content (35.5 ± 4.2%) and higher lipid productivity (0.01 g/L/d) than Chlorella sp. Y8-1 cultivated under autotrophic and heterotrophic conditions on modified Walne medium. Fatty acid analysis of Chlorella sp. Y8-1 showed the major presence of palmitic acid (C16:0), oleic acid (C18:1), linoleic acid (C18:2) and linolenic acids (C18:3). The main fatty acid compositions of the Chlorella sp. Y8-1 are appropriate for biodiesel production.