Effect of Silver Nanoparticles on the Synthesis of Algal Lipids

Abstract

In light of the increasing depletion of fossil fuel reserves throughout the world, excessive pollution from greenhouse gases, and a gradual increase in carbon dioxide (CO₂) content in the atmosphere as a result of many anthropogenic interventions that have significantly altered the global carbon cycle, renewable energy sources have major future potential. Due to the ability to alter their lipid processes in response to environmental changes, microalgae can be utilized as a replacement since they are versatile enough to thrive in a range of environments and serve as a source of bioenergy. It is also an appealing medium for absorbing the extra CO₂ existing in the atmosphere. Water samples with visible algal colonies were collected from different sources in India and isolated on BG11 medium. To boost the lipid yield of the strains, silver nanoparticles prepared from ginger (Zingiber officinale) extracts were added after the specific strains of microalgae had their biomass production assessed. According to morphological analyses, all the isolates were spherical, green in colour, unicellular in structure, and had a range of cell sizes. The highest lipid concentration was identified in the microalgal isolate JUMAC-7 whereas the lowest was found in JUMAC-4 according to research on how silver nanoparticles triggered lipid synthesis. Therefore, the inclusion of silver nanoparticles opens a new paradigm for efficient lipid production and consequent quality biodiesel production.