Optimizing Nannochloropsis Growing Conditions for Biodiesel Production Through Analysis of Lipid Content
<div><div><div><div><p>The algae are grown in two groups of three 2.5 L glass jugs spanning three concentration levels of nitrates and phosphates. A growing “f/2” medium is kept constant across trials. The algae are harvested using a flocculating solution of aluminum sulfate and vacuum filtration. The oven dry weight is obtained. Acid catalyzed in situ transesterification is used to achieve maximum conversion of fatty acids into fatty acid methyl esters (FAME), which are then analyzed using gas chromatography (GC) equipped with a flame ionization detector. Supelco 37-component FAME standards were used for identification and quantification of the FAMEs. Methyl pentadecanoate was used as an internal standard for quantification. HPLC-grade hexane used as solvent in GC analysis.</p></div></div></div></div>