The effects of the changes in the composition of nutrient on lipid content of microalgae

In this study, the effects of nitrogen limitation on the growth rates, lipid and chlorophyll a contents of the species of Isochrysis affinis galbana (Prymnesiophyceae), Phaeodactylum tricornutum (Bacillariophyceae) and Porphyridium cruentum (Rhodellophyceae ) were examined. It was observed that nitrogen limitation increased the lipid content of I. affinis galbana and P. tricornutum. In the study subjected to 50% of nitrogen reduction, 30.91% lipid and 0.755±0.03 gl-1 dry matter were detected in I. affinis galbana, and 30.18% lipid and 0.978±0.02 gl-1 dry matter in the P. tricornutum. The study in which the nitrogen starvation (100% of nitrogen reduction) applied to P. cruentum, the lipid content(11.23%) was lower than the other two species.