EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT NITROGEN CONCENTRATIONS ON THE GROWTH AND NUTRITIONAL PROFILE OF Chlorella sp.

Abstract

The study was conducted to evaluate the growth performance and proximate compositions of Chlorella sp. cultured in different NaNO3 concentrations. Chlorella sp. cultured at 8 g/L nitrogen concentration of NaNO3 had significantly (p < 0.05) higher growth performance concerning the cell density (6.33 × 106 cells m/L ) and optical density (0.461) compared to those culture at 12 g/L, 16 g/L, 20 g/L, and 24 g/L N, respectively. Additionally, significantly (p < 0.05) higher protein content (31.90% dry weight) had seen at 8 g/L N concentration compared to all other culture at different concentrations of NaNO3. Furthermore, significantly (p < 0.05) higher carbohydrate content (20.07% dry weight) and lipid content (23.47% dry weight) were observed in Chlorella sp. cultured at 8 g/L N concentration in comparison to those grown on other concentrations of NaNO3. Increasing and decreasing the nitrogen concentrations below or above 8 g/L N had a remarkable effect on the growth performance and biochemical composition of Chlorella sp.