Application of an in situ CO2-bicarbonate system under nitrogen depletion to improve photosynthetic biomass and starch production and regulate amylose accumulation in a marine green microalga Tetraselmis subcordiformis.

The in situ CO2-NaHCO3 system significantly improved the biomass and starch production in T. subcordiformis. It could also regulate the starch quality with varied relative amylose content under different cultivation modes for diverse downstream applications that could promote the economic feasibility of microalgal starch-based biofuel production. Adoption of this system in T. subcordiformis would facilitate the CO2 mitigation couple with its starch-based biorefinery.