Flocculation and pentadecane production of a novel filamentous cyanobacterium Limnothrix sp. strain SK1-2-1

Objective A novel filamentous cyanobacterium, a photosynthesizing microorganism, was isolated from a river, and its unique features of flocculation and pentadecane production were characterized. Results Microscopic observations and a phylogenetic analysis with 16S rDNA revealed that this strain was a Limnothrix species denoted as the SK1-2-1 strain. Auto cell-flocculation was observed when this strain was exposed to a two-step incubation involving a standing cultivation following a shaking preincubation. Flocculation was enhanced by blue light at a wavelength at 470 nm and irradiation for several hours to 1 day. Moreover, the strain exhibiting exponential cell growth may preferentially accumulate alkanes as pentadecane C 15 H 32 alkane, which may be used as jet fuel, at a range of approximately 1% in the dry cell weight of flocculated cells. Conclusion This is the first study on biofuel production using flocculated cells in which the specific manner of production may be regulated by cultivation conditions.