Growth characteristics and lipid content of three Korean isolates of Botryococcus braunii (Trebouxiophyceae)

Three strains of the green microalga Botryococcus braunii (JJS, KCM, and KJD) were isolated from different water bodies in Korea and grown as batch cultures in the laboratory. The effects of different growth media and temperatures on the growth rate were investigated, as well as the effect of temperature on the total lipid content and lipid profile. All three strains had the highest growth rates in BG-11 medium and at 25°C. Maximal lipid production (g L-1) was at 30°C in the JJS strain and at 25°C in the KCM and KJD strains. However, all the three strains produced the greatest percent dry weight of total lipids at 15°C and had the lowest percent dry weight of total lipids at 25°C. In general, oleic acid, linolenic acid, and behenic acid were the most common fatty acids in all three strains. However, the three strains varied considerably in their fatty acid profiles at different culture temperatures.