Production of Renewable Lipids by the Diatom Amphora copulata

The asymmetric biraphid pennate diatom Amphora copulata, isolated from tropical coastal waters (South China Sea, Malaysia), was cultured for renewable production of lipids (oils) in a medium comprised inorganic nutrients dissolved dilute palm oil mill effluent (POME). Optimal levels nitrate, phosphate, and silicate were identified maximizing the biomass concentration batch cultures conducted at 25 ± 2 °C under an irradiance 130 µmol m?2 s?1 with 16 h/8 h light-dark cycle. maximum lipid content harvested after 15-days 39.5 4.5% by dry weight POME-based optimal silicate. Under optimized conditions mass 660 mg L?1 on day 12, declining to ~650 15. For 15-day operation, final average productivities 43.3 4.5 d?1 17.1 0.3 d?1, respectively. fatty acids found be (%, w/w total lipids): palmitoleic acid (39.8%), palmitic (31.9%), myristic (6.8%), oleic (4.7%), stearic (4.5%), arachidonic (3.9%), eicosapentaenoic (3.6%), linoleic (2.5%), tetracosanoic (1.7%), linolenic (0.6%).