Monday, July 25, 2011
Grand Ballroom, 5th fl (Sheraton New Orleans)
Microalgae strains that have potential uses in the production of alternative fuels and chemicals were isolated from different water sources around the state of Louisiana. Cultures were isolated by traditional methods. Total genomic DNA was purified from four wild strains and a Chlorella vulgaris strain (as control). DNA sequences of both 16S rRNA (cyanobacterium and diatom chloroplast) and 18S rRNA (green microalgae) genes were obtained following PCR amplification and cloning. Nucleotide sequences for the five strains were analyzed and then compared to existing sequences on the NCBI database. The results showed a 98 % match with Synechococcus sp. EW15, 98 % with Cymbella percapitata, 98 % Scenedesmus abundans, 99 % with Chlorella sorokiniana and a 99 % with Chlorella vulgaris (control). The predominant fatty acids were C14:0, C16:0, C16:1, C18:1, C18:2 and C18:3 as confirmed by GC-FID lipid analysis.
*Corresponding author. Address: 3845 Hwy 75, Audubon Sugar Institute, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Saint Gabriel, LA 70776, USA. Tel.: +1-225-642-0135
E-mail address: GAita@agcenter.lsu.edu