Abstract
Microalgae, historically relevant to aquaculture sector, can effectively
contribute to the sustainability in several production chain. The
physical and chemical environmental factors play a direct or indirect
role in shaping the composition of their intracellular compounds of
these organisms. Among these compounds, fatty acids are particularly
noteworthy, with various species harboring an extensive array of them.
Notably, the marine dinoflagellate Prorocentrum micans excels in the
production of essential polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), including
DHA and EPA. The objective was to determine which factors contribute to
the accumulation of the PUFA in a P. micans strain. A factorial design
of 3x3 composed by the following factors: illumination (5, 12.5, 20 µmol
photons m-2 s-1), nitrate dose (0, 75, 150 mg ml-1) and inoculum volume
(50, 125, 200 ml) was examined to determine the better growth conditions
for P. micans. Furthermore, lipid profile and the fatty acids profile
were analyzed at the end of the cultivation. The results determined
that, maximum averages of DHA (20%) and EPA (1%), in the biomass, were
registered in cultures without nitrate, low irradiance (5 µmol photons
m-2 s-1) and high volume of inoculum (200 ml). The maximum cell
concentration recorded was 3.1×104 cells ml-1, at the end of the
culture. So, it can be concluded that the evaluated strain is easily
adapted to the culture flow and, the culture conditions to which it was
subjected allows its biomass to be considered an interesting alternative
as lipid input in aquaculture activity.