Effects of different nitrogen sources on growth and lipid production of Synechocystis and Chroococcus species

Altin N., UYAR B.

International Journal of Green Energy, 2025 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Publication Date: 2025
  • Doi Number: 10.1080/15435075.2025.2459134
  • Journal Name: International Journal of Green Energy
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, PASCAL, Aerospace Database, CAB Abstracts, Communication Abstracts, Compendex, Environment Index, Geobase, Greenfile, INSPEC, Metadex, Pollution Abstracts, Veterinary Science Database, Civil Engineering Abstracts
  • Keywords: Biofuels, Chroococcus sp, different nitrogen source, microalgae, Synechocystis sp
  • Kocaeli University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

In this study, the growth and lipid accumulation effects of different nitrogen sources (NaNO3, KNO3, NH4Cl and CH₄N₂O) on Synechocystis sp. and Chroococcus sp. were investigated. The results revealed that NaNO3 was the most suitable nitrogen source for both species. The highest biomass production (0.63 gL−¹) and productivity (49.0 mgL−¹ day−¹) for Synechocystis sp. were obtained with NaNO3. Chroococcus sp. produced 0.49 gL−¹ biomass with NaNO3 but showed lower lipid content. For Synechocystis sp. the lipid content and lipid productivity were 27% and 13.23 mgL−¹ day−¹, respectively, while for Chroococcus sp. these values were 19.5% and 9.73 mgL−¹ day−¹, respectively. Chroococcus sp. showed the highest lipid content (21%) in urea containing medium. NH4Cl caused low biomass and lipid production in both species. NaNO3 provided the best results in terms of growth rates and cell proliferation times (Synechocystis sp.: 0.017 h−¹, 41 h; Chroococcus sp.: 0.015 h−¹, 46 h). The results emphasise that the selection of the appropriate nitrogen source is critical for microalgae biomass and lipid production.