The growth and lipid accumulation of Scenedesmus quadricauda under nitrogen starvation stress during xylose mixotrophic/heterotrophic cultivation

In order to conquer the block of high cost and low yields which limit to realize the commercialization of microalgal biodiesel, the mixotrophic and heterotrophic cultivation of Scenedesmus quadricauda FACHB-1297 fed on xylose was separately studied employing six forms of media: phosphorus sufficient, phosphorus restricted, and phosphorus starvation were combined with nitrogen sufficient and nitrogen starvation conditions. The maximum lipid content (about 41% of dry weight) was obtained on the 5th day (heterotrophic cultivation) and 8th day (mixotrophic cultivation) under the nitrogen starved and phosphorus sufficient (N 0 &P) conditions, which was about twofold in comparison to the final lipid content on the sufficient nitrogen condition (control). Under mixotrophic and heterotrophic modes, the highest lipid production was achieved in the N 0 &P trial, with the value of 274.96 mg/L and 193.77 mg/L, respectively. Xylose utilization rate of 30–96% under heterotrophic modes was apparently higher than that of 20–50% in mixotrophic modes. In contrast, phosphorus uptake rate of 100% under mixotrophic cultivation was significantly more than that of 60–90% in heterotrophic cultivation. Furthermore, under the condition of heterotrophic cultivation using xylose as a carbon source, the phosphorus had a positive impact on microalgae cell synthesis and the lipid content enhanced with the augmentation in phosphorus concentrations. We suggested that sufficient phosphorus should be supplied for obtaining higher microalgal lipid production in the lack of nitrogen under xylose heterotrophic/mixotrophic condition. This was a highly effective way to obtain efficient microalgae lipid production.