FED-BATCH MIXOTROPHIC PRODUCTION OF EUGLENA GRACILIS BIOMASS USING NPK 15:15:15 FERTILIZER

Abstract

Mixotrophic cultivation of Euglena gracilis results in high algal biomass with elevated intracellular contents. However, the cost of production remains high due to the expensive media components. In this study, the production of Euglena gracilis biomass using a cheap and easily available medium was investigated in a fed-batch culture. The growth of cells in NPK 15:15:15 fertilizer, with peptone and ethanol as nitrogen and carbon sources, was compared using varying ethanol feed rates of 0.5 mL L⁻¹, 1.0 mL L⁻¹, and 2.0 mL L⁻¹ within 24 hours, under light intensities of 2570 Lux, 1642 Lux, and 851 Lux, respectively. The growth rates of E. gracilis under the different ethanol feed rates and light intensities were ranked as 1.0 mL L⁻¹ > 0.5 mL L⁻¹ > 2.0 mL L⁻¹ and 2570 Lux = 1642 Lux > 851 Lux, respectively. Peptone did not significantly enhance the growth of E. gracilis.