CHARACTERIZATION OF GREEN MICROALGAE AND CYANOBACTERIA ISOLATED FROM THE GREAT SALT PLAINS

摘要

The objective of this study was to characterize the growth pattern, lipid content, fatty acid profile, and biomass characteristics of seven algae strains isolated from the same environment and grown in standard media under similar conditions. Proximate composition of the algae biomass was determined using a thermogravimetric analysis method. The growth profile of a selected strain (SP22) in wastewater generated during hydraulic fracturing for natural gas production (frac water) was also examined. Average biomass productivities of SP20, SP46, and SP50 were similar and significantly higher than the other strains examined in this study. Maximum biomass concentration in the culture medium (1.32 g L-1) was achieved with SP46. Green algae strains SP20 and SP22 accumulated significantly higher amounts of lipids than all the cyanobacteria investigated in this study. Saturated fatty acid contents of the algal oils varied between 32.5% and 39.9%. The highest mono-and polyunsaturated fatty acid contents were observed in SP46 and SP22, respectively. Total FAME content was highest in SP22 and second highest in SP20. Growth potential of SP22 in wastewater was also examined. This study demonstrated that SP22 can grow in frac water. Furthermore, enrichment of frac water with nutrients resulted in about 20 times more biomass productivity than that of the frac water as is, with no nutrient addition.