Role of silica coated magnetic nanoparticle on cell flocculation,lipid extraction and linoleic acid production from Chlorella pyrenoidosa

Abstract

In the present work, it has been observed that magnetic (Fe₃O₄) – silica core- shell nanoparticles helps in flocculation of Chlorella pyrenoidosa cells with simultaneous production of linoleic acid. The mean particle size in Dynamic light scattering (DLS) of the silica coated magnetic nanoparticle was estimated 444.7?nm. The characterization of nanoparticles was also performed by X-ray diffraction technique (XRD). Apart from flocculation, it has been observed that in presence of magnetic silica core- shell nanoparticles the amount of lipid obtained was four times than that of control. On the contrary, in presence of these nanoparticles, linoleic acid (18:2) has been produced in Chlorella pyrenoidosa cells almost by 80% whereas, it has been noticed only 8.73% in control. This is the first report where the linoleic acid has been obtained as major component of microalgal fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) having important application in nutraceuticals and pharmaceutical sectors.