Algae Can Accumulate Lipids Quicker than Believed
Research findings from the University of Florida suggested that lipid accumulation in algal cells begins just hours after they are starved of nitrogen – not days, as some research had earlier suggested.
The research by a professor in the Uni of Florida’s horticultural science department – Bala Rathinasabapathi, also found that about 30 percent of lipids produced under nitrogen stress occurred as the membrane began to degrade inside each cell, the cell recycling the membrane lipids to oil.
This study was done on a Chlorella species. The next step for the researchers is to begin looking at genes and proteins involved during the cellular-stress stage. The research team also is working on understanding the genetic network, which is important for turning on lipid accumulation.
More info-http://news.ufl.edu/2013/08/29/algae-fuel/
