Lipid accumulation in response to nitrogen limitation and variation of temperature in Nannochloropsis salina

BACKGROUND: This batch study deals with the relation between lipid as well as triglyceride contents in Nannochloropsis salina and variation in culture conditions such as nitrogen concentration and temperature. RESULTS: The tested parameters caused reduction in growth expressed as cell count, optical density and dry weight, as well strongly involved in lipids and triglycerides accumulation and significantly affected the lipid productivity. At the beginning of the work, the concentration of nitrogen in the medium was reduced to three quarter, half and quarter of the original f2 medium while the temperature kept constant. After that, the optimal nitrogen concentration (quarter of the original media) giving high lipid yield was tested with different temperature degrees from 15 to 35°C with five degree intervals. Although the growth was insignificantly influenced, a considerable increase in lipid and triglyceride (56.1 and 15.1% of dry weight respectively) was observed when the concentration of nitrogen in the medium was reduced to the quarter. Moreover, 59.3% lipid and 17.1% triglyceride on the basis of dry weight were obtained by the combination of 25% nitrogen concentration and 30°C. Simple regressions recommended that the interaction effect of nitrogen limitation and temperature on lipid and triglyceride accumulation was not as fundamental as for nitrogen limitation stress. CONCLUSION: The degree of nitrogen availability in the combination of temperature effect has been identified as the critical determinant for the maximal production of lipid in N. salina. Nevertheless, major advances in this field can be considered by studying more stresses techniques and genetic strategies. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s40529-015-0085-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.