Mathematical Modeling of the Effect of Iron on the Growth and the Bio-Oil Productivity of Chlorella Vulgaris

It has been recently shown in the literature that specific strains of microalgae are capable to simultaneously increase their growth rate and lipid content when cultured under suitable concentrations of iron. A mathematical model describing the effect of iron on all the complex phenomena affecting growth rate and lipid accumulation of C. Vulgaris is proposed in this work. Model results are successfully compared with experimental data which confirm the positive effect of growing iron concentrations on lipid productivity of C. Vulgaris. © 2014, AIDIC Servizi S.r.l.