Enhancement of lipid production in marine diatoms by chemical manipulation of nitrogen sources

Technology

Rutgers scientists have created a method to highly increase the amount of lipid produced in the marine diatom (microalgae) Phaeodactylum tricornutum which could be harvested for use as biodiesel. By manipulating the amount of available nitrogen the P. tricornutum diatoms showed higher growth rates and 87% higher rates of lipid production per unit of biomass. These lipids are created without genetic modifications to the diatoms making this algal system less expensive than industry competitors.

Benefits

1) Increases the amount of lipid produced in the marine diatom which could be harvested for use as biodiesel. 2) These lipids are created without genetic modifications to the diatoms making this algal system less expensive than industry competitors.

Date of release