Mixotrophic Cultivation of Scenedesmus sp. as Biodiesel Feedstock

Microalgae are a promising feedstock for biodiesel production. Microalgal biodiesel can be obtained under three major cultivation modes, namely, photoautotrophic, heterotrophic, and mixotrophic cultivation. Reported studies of microalgal biodiesel production are mainly based on photoautotrophic cultivation, mixotrophic cultivation has rarely been researched. This paper compared the biomass productivity, lipid content, and lipid productivity of Scenedesmus sp. under photoautotrophic, heterotrophic, and mixotrophic cultivation. Glucose was added as organic carbon source at five concentrations (0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 5.0% glucose w/v). Results displayed that microalgal growth was significantly improved in glucose supplied cultures. Synergetic effect of photoautotrophy and heterotrophy existed in all mixotrophic cultures. Highest biomass productivity of 1.307 g·L-1·d-1 and highest lipid productivity of 316 mg·L-1·d-1 was respectively observed under mixotrophic cultivation with 5.0% and 1.0% (w/v) glucose addition. Lipid content of Scenedesmus sp. under mixotrophic cultivation was mostly higher in stationary phase than in exponential phase. Highest lipid content of 27.73% was observed in 1.0% mixotrophic culture, followed by 24.66% in 1.0% heterotrophic culture.