Generation of Mutants to Improve Efficiency of Nannochloropsis gaditana Cultures for Biofuel Production

The productivity of algae depends on its photosynthetic ability. In their natural environment, algae have evolved to maximize individual cell growth. However, in a photobioreactor, it is the collective productivity of the culture that should be maximized. Improving light use efficiency is one of the primary aims of algae research.

Giorgio Perin and his colleagues from Universita de Pedova in Italy generated Nannochloropsis gaditana mutant strains and screened them for mutations in the photosynthetic apparatus. The selected mutants exhibited diverse phenotypes, some of which can be potentially beneficial under photobioreactor conditions.

Particular attention was given to strains with reduced cellular pigments. Analysis revealed that some of these strains exhibited improved photosynthesis. In at least one case, this resulted in improved biomass productivity.

Their results demonstrate that modification of N. gaditana can potentially generate strains with improved biomass productivity under photobioreactor conditions.