Bio prospecting for High Lipid-producing Indigenous Algal in 8 South African provinces

Abstract

The scope of this project covers the screening and characterisation of selected indigenous algal strains and screening them for lipid production potential. The algae were isolated from salt- and freshwater bodies, along the Western Cape coastline of South Africa. Isolates were purified into individual isolates and screened for lipid-production. Isolate B7.4, displayed a promising lipid producing capability and fast growth rate. Key nutrients such as nitrate and silicate concentration present in the medium were identified as target handles in an attempt to boost lipid producing capability of the isolate, without, impacting negatively on the inherent growth. This optimization could prove highly beneficial when the technology is applied commercially.