Cell growth kinetics of Chlorella sorokiniana and nutritional values of its biomass

The present study investigates the effects of different physico-chemical parameters for the growth of Chlorella sorokiniana and subsequently determination of nutritional values of its biomass. Most suitable temperature, light intensity, pH, and acetic acid concentration were 30 °C, 100 μmol m−2 s−1, pH 7.5, and 34.8 mM, respectively for the growth of this microorganism. Arrhenius growth activation energy, Ea was calculated as 7.08 kJ mol−1. Monod kinetics constants: maximum specific growth rate (μmax) and substrate (acetic acid) affinity coefficient (Ks) were determined as 0.1 ± 0.01 h−1 and 76 ± 8 mg L−1, respectively. Stoichiometric analysis revealed the capture of 1.83 g CO2 and release of 1.9 g O2 for 1 g algal biomass synthesis. Algal biomass of C. sorokiniana was found rich in protein and several important minerals such as Mg, Ca, and Fe. Astaxanthin and β-carotene were extracted and quantified using high performance liquid chromatography.