Proximate and biochemical analysis for marine and freshwater algae

Aims: In this study, ten indigenous microalgae samples from freshwater and marine waters from Malaysia, cultured and analysed on proximate and biochemical analysis. The proximate and biochemical analysis consists of starch, carbohydrates, lipid, protein, ash and moisture contents. This study was more focused on screening of starch accumulation in marine and freshwater microalgae cultures. Methodology and results: Based on screening, the results showed that Chlorella salina contents highest starch of 4.92 +/- 0.33%, followed by Spirulina sp. 2.58 +/- 1.18%, Isochrysis maritime 0.99 +/- 0.33%, and lastly for Nitzschiapanduriformis and Naviculadistans contents similar percentage of starch (0.44 +/- 0.10 and 0.40 +/- 0.07%, respectively). Besides starch analysis, proximate analyses (ash, moisture, lipid, protein, and carbohydrates) have been conducted. The results obtained indicated that all the cultures contain more than 4.50% of carbohydrates in average, followed by lipid and protein <1%. The results demonstrate that further optimization and various harvesting stages (early of exponential phase, early of stationary phase and late stationary phase) may increase lipid, carbohydrates, starch, and protein accumulation. Chlorella salina and Spirulina sp. will be used to further study on optimization of physical and chemical factors for high starch accumulation. Conclusion, significance and impact of study: In conclusion, this experiment focused more on preliminary screening for further application of starch uses in food and food packaging industries.