Effect of C/N ratio and aeration on the fatty acid composition of heterotrophicChlorella sorokiniana

The effect of the carbon to nitrogen (C/N) ratio of the medium and the aeration rate on the lipid content and fatty acid composition ofChlorella sorokiniana was investigated using heterotrophic, batch culture. Both parameters had a significant effect. A C/N ratio of approximately 20, was found to indicate a change from carbon to nitrogen limitation forC. sorokiniana. Cell lipid content was at a minimum at this value and increased at both higher and lower C/N values. Low C/N ratios favoured a high proportion of trienoic fatty acids at the expense of monoenoic acids. Aeration enhanced cell growth, fatty acid yield and the synthesis of unsaturated dienoic and trienoic fatty acids, but reduced cell lipid content. The results demonstrate that the fatty acid composition and lipid content of heterotrophically-grown microalgae can be favourably manipulated by varying culture conditions.