Generation of random mutants to improve light-use efficiency of Nannochloropsis gaditana cultures for biofuel production.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The productivity of an algal culture depends on how efficiently it converts sunlight into biomass and lipids. Wild-type algae in their natural environment evolved to compete for light energy and maximize individual cell growth; however, in a photobioreactor, global productivity should be maximized. Improving light use efficiency is one of the primary aims of algae biotechnological research, and genetic engineering can play a major role in attaining this goal.

Results

In this work, we generated a collection of Nannochloropsis gaditana mutant strains and screened them for alterations in the photosynthetic apparatus. The selected mutant strains exhibited diverse phenotypes, some of which are potentially beneficial under the specific artificial conditions of a photobi

SUBMITTER: Perin G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4583171 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature