%0 Journal Article
%T Metal Nanoparticle Triggered Growth and Lipid Production in Chlorella Vulgaris
%A Banupriya S
%A Chaitra S
%A D Ananda Kumar
%A K Harinath
%A Sibi G
%A T Gopal
%J Journal of Environmental Science and Toxicology | Journal of Toxicology | International Journals
%D 2017
%X Microalgae contribute not only to the environment through biodiesel production and water purification system but also to economy and society. Various strategies have been used to improve microalgal growth and among them the use of nanometals to facilitate microalgae culture and derive valuable products. Nanotechnology poses substantial impacts on living organisms and toxicity of metal nanoparticles on microalgae is widely reported. This study involved a positive approach to use metal nanoparticles to induce metal resistance in Chlorella vulgaris thereby increasing the high value products from microalgae. Four metals namely copper, magnesium, lead and zinc were used to synthesize metal nanoparticles. In the first phase, microalgae were cultivated in the presence of varying concentrations of metal nanoparticles to induce resistance against metals. In the second phase, microalgae grown under metal nanoparticles that have recorded significant increase in growth rate and biomass were selected for further cultivation in the presence of metal salts. Comparative experiments showed that metal nanoparticle exposed strain (MNPS) from nano metal containing media has exhibited more growth rate, biomass, cellular pigments and lipid production than non exposed microalgae thus indicating the positive effect of metal nanoparticles on microalgal growth. Keywords: Chlorella; metal nanoparticles; microalgae; lipid; biomass
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