Total Protein Content Determination of Microalgal Biomass by Elemental Nitrogen Analysis and a Dedicated Nitrogen-to-Protein Conversion Factor

• Published in: Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.) Vol. 1980; p. 233
• Main Authors: Laurens, L M L, Olstad, J L, Templeton, D W
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 2020
• Subjects: Amino acids; Nitrogen analysis; Nitrogen-to-protein conversion factor; Protein
• ISSN: 1940-6029
• DOI: 10.1007/7651_2018_126

Accurately determining protein content is important in the valorization of algal biomass in food, feed, and fuel markets, where these values are used for component balance calculations. Conversion of elemental nitrogen to protein is a well-accepted and widely practiced method, but depends on developing an applicable nitrogen-to-protein conversion factor. The methodology reported here covers the quantitative assessment of the total nitrogen content of algal biomass and a description of the methodology that underpins the accurate de novo calculation of a dedicated nitrogen-to-protein conversion factor.