Production of single cell protein from five strains of the microalga Chlorella spp. (Chlorophyta).

Single cell protein (SCP) production by five strains of Chlorella species (M109, M121, M122, M138, M150), isolated from different habitats, was studied under the influence of eight environmental factors. The ranges for biomass production and SCP were 150-260 mg/l, and 12.4-49.7% dry wt, respectively. The ranges of SCP under the influence of temperature, light, nitrate, ammonia, phosphorus, iron, carbonate, and sodium chloride were in the following respective order (% dry wt): 18.4-43.3, 20.5-42.3, 12.4-35.8, 15.7-41.8, 15.8-49.4, 17.4-49.7, 13.8-35.6, and 0.0-37.7. All the environmental factors had a positive effect on SCP of the five strains except that sodium chloride had a negative effect on SCP of M150. According to these results, both biomass and SCP production can be manipulated and optimized for commercial use by varying the environmental factors used here.