Nitrate and carbonate concentration for high glucose content in microalgae
AssigneesGeorgia Tech Research Corporation, Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
InventorsNils Kroger, Stephen J. Miller, Nicole Poulsen
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Abstract
The present invention pertains to compositions and methods for more efficiently and effectively growing microalgae suitable for biofuel production. In one aspect, the invention pertains to a composition comprising microalgae and a suitable growth medium. The suitable growth medium comprises a nutritionally acceptable nitrate salt, and a carbonate salt. The concentration of nutritionally acceptable nitrate salt is from about 75 to about 200 μM while the concentration of carbonate salt is from about 1 to about 6 mM.
Claims20
A composition comprising microalgae and a suitable growth medium wherein the suitable growth medium comprises water, a nutritionally acceptable nitrate salt, and a carbonate salt;
- wherein the concentration of nutritionally acceptable nitrate salt is from 75 to 200 μM and the concentration of carbonate salt is from 1 to 6 mM.
A process for making a biofuel intermediate comprising:
- (1) supplying light to a suitable growth medium comprising microalgae;
- and
- (2) growing the microalgae in the suitable growth medium;
- wherein the suitable growth medium comprises water, a nutritionally acceptable nitrate salt, and a carbonate salt and wherein the concentration of nutritionally acceptable nitrate salt is from 75 to 200 μM and the concentration of carbonate salt is from 1 to 6 μM;
- and
- (3) harvesting the microalgae wherein the harvested microalgae comprise one or more of the following characteristics:
- (a) the microalgae yield at least 5% w/w more glucose than microalgae grown in a comparable composition lacking the carbonate salt;
- (b) the microalgae stably yield at least 15% w/w glucose;
- and (c) the microalgae yield at least 10% w/w more glucose than microalgae grown in a comparable composition with 1500 μM of the same nitrate salt.
A growth medium package for microalgae comprising a nutritionally acceptable nitrate salt and a carbonate salt;
- wherein the ratio of nitrate to carbonate is such that when the medium package is diluted to form a suitable growth medium the concentration of nutritionally acceptable nitrate salt is from 120 to 170 μM and the concentration of carbonate salt is from 2 to 5 mM.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.