The effect of different light conditions on Chlorella Sp. growth and lipid production
School Name
Spring Valley High School
Grade Level
10th Grade
Presentation Topic
Biochemistry
Presentation Type
Non-Mentored
Oral Presentation Award
1st Place
Abstract
The need for fossil fuels in transportation usage has exhausted the fossil fuel supply and increased the demand for it or need for change in the types of fuel used in transportation. The most effective solution would be to use algae biofuels. This research was aimed to find the best strain of Chlorella spirulina for biofuels. The research was to cultivate the Chlorella sp. under different light conditions to determine if the different light conditions would increase lipid growth in the algae. It was hypothesized that the Chlorella sp. grown under the yellow light filters would produce more algae and produce the most lipids needed to make biofuels. The Chlorella sp. was placed under a grow light where they were separated into four different light filter groups, no filter, yellow, orange, and blue filter. The Chlorella Sp. was grown for 2 ½ weeks. Energy yield of the algae was measured using a calorimeter and the amount of energy present in the algae was determined by calculating temperature differences, final temp- initial temp, and results showed that there was no significant difference (F(3,20)=1.37, p=0.280) in the algae grown in different light filters. Therefore, the hypothesis was not supported. In conclusion, the impact of yellow light on lipid growth and overall growth is no greater than the impact of other types of lights such as orange light and white light.
Recommended Citation
Alipio, Kaouri Marie, "The effect of different light conditions on Chlorella Sp. growth and lipid production" (2017). South Carolina Junior Academy of Science. 11.
https://scholarexchange.furman.edu/scjas/2017/all/11
Location
Wall 118
Start Date
3-25-2017 10:45 AM
Presentation Format
Oral and Written
Group Project
No
The effect of different light conditions on Chlorella Sp. growth and lipid production
Wall 118
The need for fossil fuels in transportation usage has exhausted the fossil fuel supply and increased the demand for it or need for change in the types of fuel used in transportation. The most effective solution would be to use algae biofuels. This research was aimed to find the best strain of Chlorella spirulina for biofuels. The research was to cultivate the Chlorella sp. under different light conditions to determine if the different light conditions would increase lipid growth in the algae. It was hypothesized that the Chlorella sp. grown under the yellow light filters would produce more algae and produce the most lipids needed to make biofuels. The Chlorella sp. was placed under a grow light where they were separated into four different light filter groups, no filter, yellow, orange, and blue filter. The Chlorella Sp. was grown for 2 ½ weeks. Energy yield of the algae was measured using a calorimeter and the amount of energy present in the algae was determined by calculating temperature differences, final temp- initial temp, and results showed that there was no significant difference (F(3,20)=1.37, p=0.280) in the algae grown in different light filters. Therefore, the hypothesis was not supported. In conclusion, the impact of yellow light on lipid growth and overall growth is no greater than the impact of other types of lights such as orange light and white light.
