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Increasing Omega-3 Fatty Acid in Algae with Mixotrophic Environments

Undergraduate #162
Discipline: Chemistry and Chemical Sciences
Subcategory: Cell and Molecular Biology

Donna Shi - Baltimore Polytechnic Institute
Co-Author(s): Chien-Ting Li, Elizabeth Chen, and Michael Betenbaugh



Microalgae have a potential of replacing actual fish to feed farmed fish and become the source of Omega-3 fatty acids for fish. However, commercial production of algae is very limited due to the high cost of carbon sources for algae. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of different carbon sources on the lipid content of Chlorella sp. to better and quicker produce algae. Algae were cultured under with and without carbon dioxide to examine the impact of carbon sources added to the algae. FAME lipid extraction method was utilized along with gas chromatographic methods in order to examine the amount of lipid content presented in the microalgae cultured. Results from the first culture batch indicated that Chlorella sp. could not grow up in methanol or ethanol. The results currently indicate that Chlorella vulgaris could not survive with just ethanol or methanol instead both were indicating toxicity to the algae. To increase cell density, carbon dioxide was added to the experiment along with the different carbon sources. Algae grew very rapidly with carbon dioxide with the addition of other carbon source indicating that with the addition of other carbon sources the production of algae can greatly be increased.

Funder Acknowledgement(s): EFRI Grant: NSF Award ID # 1332344

Faculty Advisor: Michael Betenbaugh, beten@jhu.edu

Role: For this research, I am responsible for preparing the culture media, culturing the algae, measuring the cell density of the algae sample every day, and also preparing the samples for lipid analysis at the end of the experiment. I am also the person writing the research paper for this research.

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This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) under Grant No. DUE-1930047. Any opinions, findings, interpretations, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of its authors and do not represent the views of the AAAS Board of Directors, the Council of AAAS, AAAS’ membership or the National Science Foundation.

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