Sequential heterotrophy-dilution-photoinduction cultivation for efficient microalgal biomass and lipid production

► A novel strategy was developed for efficient algal biomass and lipid production. ► High biomass productivity and high biomass quality could be achieved. ► Cellular lipid content could be accumulated to high levels within several hours. ► Indoor and outdoor results showed consistent patterns by three chlorella species. ► It's scale-up feasible for microalgal mass culture process.