Methods And Compositions For Growth Of Hydrocarbons In Botryococcus sp.

Abstract

Acceleration of botryococcenoids and growth by concomitant provision of appropriate light, minerals, and assimilable carbon. Specifically, methods, compositions and systems for the in vitro growth of hydrocarbons in photosynthetic organisms while maintaining a biologically exclusive monocultural environment, as for example, from Botryococcus species, is disclosed. Niche-nutrients can include about 200 ppm to about 3% nitrogen, and about 100 ppm to about 15% P 2 0 5 , and about 100 ppm to about 3.5% K 2 0. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the growth of the Chlorophyta such as Botryococcus sp. in a nutrient medium that includes up to 15% phosphates, at least 3 ppm soluble iron, and up to about 70 ppm soluble zinc. Also disclosed is a substantially pure culture of Botryococcus braunii var. Showa , strain Ninsei, having the ATCC Accession No. PTA-7441, its parts, and hydrocarbons produced therefrom.

1 . A microorganism designated Ninsei, a representative of which having been deposited under ATCC Accession No. PTA-744. 
     
     
         2 . A substantially pure culture of Ninsei, having the ATCC Accession No. PTA-7441. 
     
     
         3 . A nutrient composition comprising: 80-800 ppm K 2 PO 4 , 80-1000 ppm K 2 HPO 4 , 500-2500 ppm KNO 3 , 80-800 ppm Chelants, 1-1000 ppm MgSO 4 , 1-800 ppm Ca +2 , 3-10 ppm Fe, 0.1-3 ppm Mn, 0.01-0.1 ppm Cu, 0.2-2 ppm B, 0.3-50 ppm Zn 2+ , 0.001-0.05 ppm Mo, 0.001-0.05 ppm Co. 
     
     
         4 . The nutrient composition of  claim 3 , comprising about 136 ppm KH 2 PO 4 , about 17 ppm K 2 HPO 4 , 570 ppm KNO 3 , about 200-1750 ppm chelants, about 100 ppm MgSO 4 , about 88 ppm Ca +2 , at least about 5 ppm Fe, about 0.2 ppm Mn, about 0.01 ppm Cu, about 0.2 ppm B, about 0.2 ppm Zn 2+ , about 0.02 ppm Mo, and about 0.002 ppm Co. 
     
     
         5 . The nutrient composition of  claim 3  in liquid water and culture of  Botryococcus  sp. therein.