Open AccessIsolation and screening of microalgae from natural habitats in the midwestern United States of America for biomass and biodiesel sources
Author(s) -
Keesoo Lee,
Megan L. Eisterhold,
Fabio Rindi,
Swaminathan Palanisami,
Paul Ki-souk Nam
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of natural science, biology and medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.236
H-Index - 30
eISSN - 2229-7707
pISSN - 0976-9668
DOI - 10.4103/0976-9668.136178
Subject(s) - biomass (ecology) , biodiesel , scenedesmus , isolation (microbiology) , biology , nutrient , botany , biofuel , cyanobacteria , biodiesel production , ecology , algae , microbiology and biotechnology , bacteria , biochemistry , genetics , catalysis
Native species of microalgae were isolated from natural water bodies in the Midwestern United States of America and were screened for the ultimate goal of mass cultivation in Missouri and the surrounding states, and for their potential as biomass and biodiesel sources. A number of different nutrient media recipes were utilized to isolate the maximum number of colonies from each field samples. These nutrient recipes were modified in order to optimize the isolation and growth dynamics of specific colonies. All of the isolates were categorized based on the morphological appearance of the culture and the microscopic cellular appearance of the isolated colonies. Isolates included many common green microalgae and cyanobacteria. Lipid content was determined for selected strains that demonstrated relatively quick growth. Scenedesmus sp. that demonstrated the high growth rate, resistance to invasion, and contained sufficient amounts of lipid was investigated for its potential as a sustainable biomass and biodiesel feedstocks.