Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

Hi,
For a science project I am growing several types of algae, and then after a few weeks, am collecting them and burning them for calories. The question I have pertains to the type of algae I should be using. I am looking for something with quick growth and high lipid content, and so far I am cultivating Chlorella and Nannochloropsis, however I'd like to have a third type. Any suggestions? And if so do you know anywhere I can order them from?
Thank you for your time.

Hi,

There is an alga that is being studied by several companies as a source of biofuel and that is Botryococcus braunii:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botryococcus_braunii

From Wikipedia
"Botryococcus braunii (Bb) is a green, pyramid shaped planktonic microalga that is of potentially great importance in the field of biotechnology. Colonies held together by a lipid biofilm matrix can be found in temperate or tropical oligotrophic lakes and estuaries, and will bloom when in the presence of elevated levels of dissolved inorganic phosphorus. The species is notable for its ability to produce high amounts of hydrocarbons, especially oils in the form of Triterpenes, that are typically around 30-40 percent of their dry weight.[1] Compared to other green algae species it has a relatively thick cell wall that is accumulated from previous cellular divisions; making extraction of cytoplasmic components rather difficult. Fortunately, much of the useful hydrocarbon oil is outside of the cell.[2]"

I've never tried to grow this algae but it grows in fresh water lakes and does not seem to require any special growth conditions. Now, I know what your next question is--where can I get it? I did a search, and here's the only source I saw:

http://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/B ... 24079.html

They offer a 50 mL culture for $25 (not including S&H).

You could try checking other sources. If you are lucky and live near a university with a bioengineering department, you might be able to get a culture of B. braunii from someone there.

This sounds like a really interesting project. Let us know how it turns out.

Sybee