Evaluation of the Growth Performance of Microalgae Based on Fine pH Changes

Microalgae are photosynthetic microorganisms with many potential applications in the food, cosmetics, pharmaceutical and environmental industries. Currently, commercial microalgae production remains limited. Therefore, improving the growth and the culture density of the microalgae cultivation is one of the key enablers to open the way to mass production and commercialisation of these microorganisms. The effect of culture pH on the photoautotrophic growth of C. vulgaris over a large range of values has been investigated in pH-regulated cultures. For each microalgae culture, the specific growth rate, the cell density, the chlorophyll content, the intracellular carbon content and the nitrogen source consumption were monitored. Optimal growth and carbon incorporation have been observed at pH of 7.0. The fastest growth rate and highest biomass production of C. vulgaris were 0.074 h-1 and 0.896 g/L respectively. Under these conditions, a maximum carbon content of cells was 49 % (w/w).