Scenedesmus sp. Cultivation in a Synthetic Fertilizer-Based Culture Media: Biomass’ Lipids and Proteins Profile

The microalga Scenedesmus sp. is a microorganism with great potential for the production of compounds applied to a variety of processes, as example for food, nanocomposites, bioplastics, micro aggregates for polymeric bases. Our goal was to evaluate different concentrations of the medium formulated with the fertilizer Plant Prod® for Scenedesmus sp. cultivation, and to verify this biomass’ proteins and lipids profile. The experiments were carried out in blocks, in a 3 × 2 factorial design with 3 repetitions, as follows: three different concentrations of fertilizer 8, 10 and 12 g/L, in the presence of two carbon sources, glucose or sodium bicarbonate at 12 g/L. The culture was aerated with a continuous air flow of 4.7 L min⁻¹, average light intensity of 5.104 lux, pH 8.7, at 30 ℃. The experiments were monitored daily by measuring biomass concentration and the cultivations were concluded at the 18^th day, when the biomass was collected and dried at 50 ℃ for total lipids and proteins extraction and quantification. The dry biomass and protein production were statistically higher for the conditions 12 g/L of Plant Prod® fertilizer and sodium bicarbonate carbon source, while the best cultivation condition for lipid production was 8 g/L of Plant Prod® fertilizer for both carbon sources. Thus, it was found that Plant Prod® fertilizer is a good alternative for this microalga’s classic media replacement, for cost reduction as well as better use of nutrients.