Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) Analysis and Morphological Studies on Nannochloropsis Oculata and Tetraselmis Chuui

Abstract

Lipid extraction was conducted on two marine microalgae namely, Nannochloropsis oculata and Tetraselmis chuui. The Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) was utilized to identify the cell composition of both marine microalgae before and after the lipid extraction. The microalgae were also examined morphologically by utilizing optical microscope and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Microscopic studies show that N. oculata as a spherical and non-motile cell, whereby, T. chuui is an oval shaped and motile cell. Also, T. chuui appears three times larger than N. oculata cells. The FT-IR analyses on cell composition dynamics demonstrate the presence of carbohydrate, lipid and protein. Significant reduction in the peak area at wavenumber 1740 cm-1 was observed after lipid extraction on microalgae which strongly suggests that lipid has been completely extracted from the microalgae. FT-IR serves as an easy, fast and reliable technique to monitor changes in biochemical composition of marine microalgae.