Examination of indigenous microalgal species for maximal protein synthesis

• Main Authors: Tan, Chung Hong, Show, Pau Loke, Lam, Man Kee, Fu, Xiaoting, Ling, Tau Chuan, Chen, Chun Yen, Chang, Jo-Shu
• Format: Article
• Published: Elsevier 2020
• Subjects: Q Science (General); QH Natural history; TP Chemical technology
• Online Access: http://eprints.um.edu.my/24839/; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bej.2019.107425

The expanding aquaculture industry increases the prices of fishmeal, the main protein source in fish diet. A promising alternative is microalgal protein. Therefore, we investigated the protein production capacities of green microalgae Chlorella sorokiniana CY1 and Chlorella vulgaris ESP-31. After optimization, the maximum biomass and protein productivities of Chlorella sorokiniana CY1 reached high values of 4.35 ± 0.09 and 0.856 ± 0.025 g/L/d, while that of Chlorella vulgaris ESP-31 also reached high values of 4.636 ± 0.10 and 0.946 ± 0.065 g/L/d. The cultivation time for both species was only 2 days, wherein Chlorella sorokiniana CY1 and Chlorella vulgaris ESP-31 amassed moderate protein contents of 25.9 ± 1.3% and 26.8 ± 1.3%. The optimum conditions for both species were 50% initial nitrate concentration of Basal medium, 5% CO2 aeration, and 750 μmol/m2/s light intensity. The high biomass and protein productivities of both species indicated their capability as potential protein sources. © 2019 Elsevier B.V.