3.4. Optimization of lipids accumulation and productivity in shallow ponds in Fortaleza simulated-climate
Although we demonstrated in this study a high level of lipids accumulation at 46% (w/w) at the 7th day of culture, the highest productivity was observed from day 3 to 5, at a lipids content in the biomass from 20% to 35% (w/w), respectively. Thus, a harvesting time around the 5th day, at twice the time for maximum biomass productivity, would be recommended for lipids as the main target product, because accumulation in the biomass could provide an advantage for product recovery [35]. However, if other co-products (carbohydrates and/or proteins) could be isolated in a biomass biorefinery [15,20], it is possible that an earlier biomass collection could be more advantageous.