Media Optimization for Biofuels from Cyclotella Cryptica.

Diatoms, distinguished by their silica shells, offer unique potential for biofuel production compared to green algae. This research aims to use diatoms, specifically Cyclotella cryptica (C. cryptica), for biodiesel synthesis by catalyzing the triacylglycerol (TAG) within them. C. cryptica was selected as the subject of study since it is rich in lipids (40% of biomass, 55% TAG). The research focused on determining the optimal silica concentration for maximizing C. cryptica growth and its subsequent impact on lipid content throughout the growth phase. Experiments were conducted by varying silica concentrations (0.5x- 5x). Results revealed that a 2x concentration of silica improved C. cryptica growth within a 14-day period.