Isolation and Evaluation of Microalgae from Mangrove Area in South Coast of Saopaulo (Brazil) for Lipid Production
Marcelo Chuei Matsudo, Célia Leite Sant’Anna, Lina Susana Pérez Mora, Roberta Claro da Silva, João Carlos Monteiro de Carvalho
Abstract
Microalgae may be considered as the main alternative source of valuable biomolecules for several commercial applications, such as food and energy. This study sought to evaluate photosynthetic microorganisms isolated from fresh water in mangrove areas of southern Coast of Sao Paulo State (Brazil). After cultivation in Erlenmeyer flasks, 9 green algae and 2 cyanobacteria strains had their biomass analyzed in terms of total protein, lipid contents, and fatty acids profile. Total protein content varied in the range of 13.25 to 32.47% and total lipid content varied in the range of 15.27 to 38.11%. Among several fatty acids, palmitic acid (C16:0), linoleic acid (C18:2n6), and 𝛾-linolenic acid (C18:3n6) were the most abundant ones. Depending on the strain, not only protein for food supplement can be obtained but also polyunsaturated fatty acid for nutraceutical or saturated lipids for biodiesel could be obtained from these isolated microalgae.