Regulatory effect of Fe-EDTA on mixotrophic cultivation of Chlorella sp. towards biomass growth and metabolite production

The study examined the effect of varying concentrations of iron in the form of ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid ferric sodium salt (Fe-EDTA) for cultivation of Chlorella sp. under mixotrophic condition to evaluate biomass growth and metabolites production. The experimental data depicted enhanced biomass production along with lipids, carbohydrates and proteins at an optimal iron concentration (8 mg/L). Relatively higher biomass production (5.4 g/L; 96 h) with simultaneous total chlorophyll (5 mg/mL (Chl a/b: 3.7/1.3 mg/mL)), carbohydrates (105 mg/g) and proteins (593 mg/g) was observed with 8 mg/L Fe-EDTA. Total and neutral lipid content of 38% and 15.6% was observed under nutrient deprived conditions. The presence of iron showed distinct influence on the saturated fraction of FAME and increment in oleic acid (omega fatty acids; edible oil). Higher concentrations of Fe-EDTA (10/12 mg/L) depicted incremental fraction of oleic acid.