Combined effect of nitrogen and phosphorus on growth and biochemical composition of Tetradesmus obliquus (Turpin) M.J. Wynne

Microalgae have many biotechnological applications in various industries including food and feed, fertilizer, biofuel, cosmetics, pharmaceutics, and wastewater treatment. Since hey produce secondary metabolites under stress conditions such as pigments, carotenoids, hydrocarbons, and vitamins, investigating the effects of stress factors on growth parameters and biochemical composition of microalgal biomass is needed in producing bioproducts. 
In this paper, the combined effects of nitrogen and phosphorus on growth and the protein/amino acid and Lipid-FAMEs profiles of microalgae Tetradesmus obliquus (MAKUMACC-037) were investigated. 
Nitrogen and phosphorus deficiency reduced the algal growth. Biochemical composition was changed in a nitrogen and phosphorus dependent manner. 
High concentration of protein and lipid were associated with increased nitrogen and phosphorus concentration However, the FAMEs profiles were changed depending on only the nitrogen concentration.