| Abstract |
Today microalgae represent a viable alternative source for high-value products. The specie Chlorella protothecoides (Cp), heterotrophically grown, has been widely studied and provides a high amount of lutein and fatty acids (FA) and has a good profile for biodiesel production. This work studies carotenoid and FA production by autotrophic grown Cp. Cp was grown until the medium s nitrogen was depleted, then diluted in NaCl solution, resulting in nutritional, luminosity, and salinity stresses. Different NaCl concentrations were tested (10, 20, 30 g/L) at two different dilutions. After dilution, a color shifting from green to orange-red was noticed, showing carotenoid production. The best production of both carotenoids and FA was attained with a 20 g/L NaCl solution. The total carotenoid content was 0.8 \% w/w (canthaxanthin (23.3 \%), echinenone (14.7 \%), free astaxanthin (7.1 \%), and lutein/zeaxanthin (4.1 \%)). Furthermore, the total lipid content reached 43.4 \% w/w, with a FA composition of C18:1 (33.64 \%), C16:0 (23.30 \%), C18:2 (11.53 \%), and less than 12 \% of C18:3, which is needed to fulfill the biodiesel quality specifications (EN 14214). |
