Biochemical characterization of microalgae collected from north east region of India advancing towards the algae-based commercial production

Selection of suitable strain of microalgae is the crucial factor for large-scale production of algae-based products. Efforts have been made here for isolation, identification and biochemical characterization of five microalgae strains collected from Tripura (a small state in north-eastern region of India). Two Chlorococcum sp. (NITAAP008 and NITAAP019) demonstrate their high lipid (15-24%), equal amounts of carbohydrate and protein (35-40%), with specific growth rate of 0.13day(-1). These strains are potential resource for biofuel production. After lipid extraction, remaining biomass can be used as source of carbohydrate for the production of other biofuels. One isolated strain is identified as Chlorella sp. (NITAAP009) and shows 22-33% carbohydrate, 41-50% protein and 5% chlorophyll with specific growth rate of 0.125day(-1). Another Chlorella sp. (NITAAP011) isolated from lake area exhibits significant chlorophyll (5-6.4%), 30-50% carbohydrate, 48-60% protein and low lipid (1-10%) with lower specific growth rate (0.10day(-1)). Both strains are having industrial competence for chlorophyll production due to their synthesizing ability of significant amount of chlorophyll (5-6.4%). The last one, Korshikoviella sp. (NITAAP017), has 15-18% lipid, 22-34% carbohydrate, 30-43% protein and 3-4% chlorophyll with specific growth rate of 0.12day(-1) and can be used for food supplement production or lipid synthesis. (c) 2017 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.