Biosynthesis and Characterization of Algae oil Obtained from Chlorella vulgaris

Abstract

Chlorella vulgaris was isolated from the African Regional Aquacultural Centre Aluu, Rivers State. The culture was grown and was analysed for oil contents using three different extraction methods and was also analysed for pigments and the algae oil was characterized. Pigment analysis of the biomass had 7-12000 µg/g beta carotene, Astaxantin, Cantaxantin, Chlorophyll-a and Chlorophyll-b was 550,000 µg/g, 362,000 µg/g, 250-9630 µg/g and 72-5770 µg/g. Free fatty acid composition of the algae oil was tetradecanoic acid with a low peak height of 5.07%. The maximal peak height and component was n-hexadecanoic acid with the 17.83 minutes retention time and peak area of 18.24%, followed by the 9-octadecanoic acid (Z) Hexyl ester which had a peak area of 5.77% and a retention time of 24.80 minutes. The specific growth rate of 0.041 mg/Lday-1 for mixotrophic condition while heterotrophic had SGR of 0.054 mg/Lday-1. The study further identified that algal biomass from C. vulgaris has the potential of serving as both nutraceuticals and bioenergy feedstock. There is need for further studies around the algae oil oriented optimization as a veritable tool for biotechnological advancements.