Fatty acid synthesis by Chlamydomonas reinhardtii in phosphorus limitation

The importance of crucial nutrient factors like Phosphate (P) and their limited availability leads to variable fluctuations in fatty acid and phospholipid synthesis in the green alga. These fatty acids and phospholipids are an imperative byproduct of alga which used in biofuel production. The production of phospholipids in alga might be naturally enhanced by the optimized supplied by specific essential nutrient like Phosphate. In this study, green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii was cultivated in phosphate stress condition to obtain maximum phospholipids. In the stress condition, the organism exhibited variable changes in chlorophyll, fatty acid, and phospholipid compositions. These parameters analyzed by biomass, X-ray, GC, and TLC. Remarkably, saturated fatty acids, monounsaturated, and di-unsaturated fatty acids amounts, increases, while polyunsaturated fatty acids to decrease markedly. The maximum fatty acid content observed at 0.4 mgl−1 P content in growing media. A broad peak area of 56% of hexadecanoic acid (C 16:0) and followed by 28.8% linolenic (C18:3) was observed in GC analysis. These results indicate the essential fatty acid accumulation maximized at particular phosphate concentration in growing media. This necessary and essential fatty acid production from green algae in a sustainable manner is an inexpensive and excellent way for commercialization and biofuel production.