Title: Growth, total lipid, and omega-3 fatty acid production by Nannochloropsis spp. cultivated with raw plant substrate

Abstract

Improving productivity and lipid concentration in microalgae is important for the economic success of both biofuel and microalgae coproducts production. Nannochloropsis spp. are marine microalgae currently being grown at large-scale for the production of biofuel and lipid coproducts. In this work, we demonstrate improvements of growth and omega-3 production in Nannochloropsis gaditana CCMP526 and Nannochloropsis oceanica CCAP849/10 with plant substrate addition, a potentially economical option for increasing microalgal productivity. Furthermore, we examine growth in the presence of corn stover, switchgrass, sugarcane bagasse, and yard waste. By examining the microbial ecology of N. gaditana cultures with and without plant substrate and with and without antibiotics, we discovered a potential bacterial interaction in these cultures, but its presence is not necessary for algal growth improvements in the presence of plant substrate. Analysis of plant substrate morphology by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) after cultivation in media with and without N. gaditana shows a degradation of specific plant structural features and a colonization of the plant phloem by N. gaditana. An examination of N. gaditana in a Congo red plate assay indicates potential cellulolytic activity, but a preliminary examination of the potential cellulase transcripts does not reveal differential expression of a candidate in themore » presence of plant. This evidence demonstrates potential raw plant utilization by a marine microalga for increased productivity and provides a potentially economical option for increasing coproduct concentration at industrial scale without genetic engineering.« less

Authors:

Schambach, Jenna Y. ^[1]; Finck, Anna M. ^[1]; Kitin, Peter ^[2]; Hunt, Christopher G. ^[2]; Hanschen, Erik R. ^[1]; Vogler, Brian ^[3]; Starkenburg, Shawn R. ^[1]; Barry, Amanda N. ^[4]

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+ Show Author Affiliations

1. Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
2. U.S. Forest Service, Madison, WI (United States). Forest Products Lab.
3. Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States); Conagen, Bedford, MA (United States)
4. Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States); Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)

Publication Date:

2020-10-01

Research Org.:

Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States); Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Transportation Office. Bioenergy Technologies Office

OSTI Identifier:

1650143

Alternate Identifier(s):

OSTI ID: 1739994; OSTI ID: 1811141

Report Number(s):

SAND-2020-7729J; LA-UR-20-23298
Journal ID: ISSN 2211-9264; 687673

Grant/Contract Number:  

AC04-94AL85000; NL0035866; NL0029949; 89233218CNA000001

Resource Type:

Accepted Manuscript

Journal Name:

Algal Research

Additional Journal Information:

Journal Volume: 51; Journal ID: ISSN 2211-9264

Publisher:

Elsevier

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES