Metabolic changes of starch and lipid triggered by nitrogen starvation in the microalga Chlorella zofingiensis

•The impact of N starvation on algal starch and lipid synthesis was analyzed.•The initial response to N starvation in cells was massive starch synthesis.•C. zofingiensis tends to produce lipid as a long-term storage upon N starvation.•The degree of saturation of fatty acids increased in N-deprived C. zofingiensis. The aim of this research was to study the metabolic changes of starch and lipid biosynthesis in the microalga Chlorella zofingiensis under nitrogen starvation in comparison to nitrogen abundant condition. C. zonfingiensis showed a rapid growth and kept stable chlorophyll content when grown in nitrogen-replete medium, while a severe inhibition of cell growth and a sharp degradation of chlorophyll occurred under nitrogen depletion. Nitrogen-replete C. zonfingiensis cells possessed basal levels of starch and lipid. Upon nitrogen starvation, both starch and lipid increased greatly within cells, but starch synthesis preceded lipid accumulation. After 2days of stress condition, starch was partially degraded, possibly to support lipid synthesis. It was speculated that starch accumulation acted as a quick response to environmental stress, whereas lipid served as long-term energy storage. Additionally, C. zonfingiensis tends to lower the degree of unsaturation in response to nitrogen starvation which is desirable for biodiesel production.