Investigation of optimal condition for Chlorella vulgaris microalgae growth

Due to its abundance and also flexibility of cultivation conditions, Chlorella vulgaris microalgae is one of the most ideal options available for microalgae based biodiesel production. Since vulgaris cultivation for fuel production needs economic considerations to be taken, and in first place, the importance of providing biomass and lipid production costs, wide researches have been conducted in this field and this review study aims to spot the best condition for cultivation of this valuable specie by reviewing the whole literature. So far, researchers’ efforts show that the best condition for vulgaris cultivation is mixotrophic regime which is done in a bubble column photobioreactor. Glucose as carbonic source and nitrate as nitrogen source have the most efficacy among nutrition conditions. The best results are obtained when glucose and nitrate content are 20 and o.5 g/L respectively. Alkaline medium (pH 9 to 10), non-continuous illumination, 5 to 7 Klux and a 200 mL/min aeration flow rate, were known to be the best physical conditions. The most vulgaris biomass amount produced was 3.43 g/L, and the best lipid productivity was measured 66.25 mg/L/day.