Impact of Culture Medium on Microalgae Growth and Biochemical Composition: Implications for Sustainable Food Production

Abstract

Microalgae, which are known for their adaptability and rapid development, have tremendous potential in industries such as food, agriculture, and biomedicine. Their capacity to survive in a variety of environments, along with their high nutritional content, make them a desirable resource for sustainable applications. However, efficient cultivation remains challenging because of the varying requirements of the culture medium components among different microalgal species. This study investigated the growth of two microalgal species, Brachionus plicatilis and Pyrocystis lunula, in two different culture media (F/2 and TMRL), as these local strains have not been thoroughly studied. Detailed analysis of growth dynamics and biochemical composition revealed the mechanisms by which medium composition affects microalgae growth, with the aim of optimizing conditions for high protein and lipid content. The results indicated that in F/2 medium, B. plicatilis achieved a peak Cell Density (CD) of 6.80×102 cells/mL and P. lunula reached 5.83×102 cells/mL, whereas in TMRL medium, the peak CD for B. plicatilis was 8.00×102 cells/mL and P. lunula was 6.02×102 cells/mL. Additionally, lipid content in P. lunula was highest in F/2 medium at 17.43%, while B. plicatilis reached 15.98%. protein content was also higher in F/2 medium, with P. lunula at 36.86% and B. plicatilis at 35.34%. These findings provide valuable insights for improving microalgae culture efficiency in food industry applications.

Date of Award	21 Aug 2024
Original language	American English
Supervisor	Loke (Supervisor)