The Effects of Trace Elements on the Lipid Productivity and Fatty Acid Composition ofNannochloropis oculata

Abstract

The effects of trace elements on the lipid productivity and fatty acid composition of Nannochloropis oculata (N. oculata)were studied. The results showed that trace elements had a strong influence on not only the lipid productivity but also the fatty acid composition. The addition of Fe ³⁺, Zn ²⁺, Mn ²⁺, Mo ⁶⁺, and EDTA and the deletion of Cu ²⁺and Co ²⁺can increase the lipid productivity. The optimum concentrations of the trace elements in the culture medium are 6 times of Fe ³⁺and EDTA, the same concentration of Zn ²⁺, Mn ²⁺, and Mo ⁶⁺as the control group, but the optimum medium has no Cu ²⁺or Co ²⁺. Fe ³⁺, Zn ²⁺, Mn ²⁺, Mo ⁶⁺, and EDTA are indispensable during the EPA formation of N. oculata. The addition of Fe ³⁺, Zn ²⁺, Mn ²⁺, Mo ⁶⁺, and EDTA can strongly increase the content of EPA in the lipid of N. oculata, but the concentration of the trace elements had little influence on the level of EPA.