Changes of biomass, lipid content and fatty acids composition under a light-dark cyclic culture of Chlorella pyrenoidosa in response to different temperature

► Night biomass loss can be reduced by raising daytime temperature. ► Night biomass loss also can be decreased by lowering night temperature. ► Higher daytime temperature can improve lipid accumulation. ► C16:0 was the most abundant fatty acid and obviously affected by the temperature. ► Heating the culture broth during the daytime can increase the lipid productivity.