Neste trabalho de mestrado, investigou-se o desempenho de membranas poliméricas de microfiltração para retenção de microalgas (Chlorella sorokiniana) em um fotobiorreator com capacidade volumétrica de 3,5 L, alimentado por um fluxo contínuo de nutrientes com pH 7,0 em condições controladas de temperatura (21°C no meio de cultura e 24°C no meio), borbulhamento de ar e luminosidade (2500 lux, em fotoperíodo de 12/12 horas claro/escuro). Membranas comerciais de tamanho médio de poros 0,8, 1,2, 3,0 e 5,0 μm foram testadas pelo tempo suficiente para esgotamento do limite da permeação da membrana. A concentração das microalgas no fotobiorreator foi analisada através de densidade óptica (espectofotometria) ao número de células (contagem de unidades de células em lâminas do tipo Fuchs Rosenthal - Microscopia Óptica) das amostras de concentrado e permeado. O fenômeno físico de polarização sobre a superfície da membrana está diretamente relacionado ao desempenho da mesma na retenção de microalgas, portanto, fotomicrografias (MEV) da membrana antes e após a microfiltração foram analisadas e comparadas. Para analisar a composição química das microalgas, bem como sua afinidade com as membranas, foram investigadas a composição e a caracterização do fenômeno químico sobre a superfície da membrana, por análise de Energia Dispersiva de Raio-X (EDX). Análises das diferentes fases de crescimento das algas e seus componentes foram feitas em amostras secas a 40°C, através de análise elementar e análises térmicas (TG- Análise Termogravimétrica e DTA- Análise Térmica Diferencial). Os resultados experimentais obtidos neste trabalho permitiram concluir que o uso de membranas de microfiltração em fotobiorreator proporciona a retenção das microalgas, o que contribui para o aumento da concentração da biomassa algal, permitindo a manipulação da sua composição de acordo com as condições pelas quais estes microrganismos são submetidos. / This dissertation investigates the performance of polymeric microfiltration membranes for microalgae retention (Chlorella sorokiniana) in photobioreactor with a volumetric capacity of 3.5 L. The reactor is fed by a continuous flow of nutrients under controlled conditions of pH (7,0) and the temperature (21°C in culture medium and 24°C in the environment), bubbling air and light (2500 lux, with a photoperiod of 12/12 hour light/dark). Commercial membranes of the average pore sizes of 0.8, 1.2, 3.0 and 5.0 μm were tested by depletion of time sufficient to limit the permeation of the membranes. The microalgae concentration in the photobioreactor was analyzed by optical density (spectrophotometry) and number of cells (cell units count on Fuchs Rosenthal type plates-Optical Microscopy). The physical phenomenon of polarization on the surface of the membrane is directly related to its performance in the retention of microalgae therefore micrographs (SEM) of the membrane before and after the microfiltration were compared to identify the chemical affinity between the membranescomposition and the microalgae. The chemical phenomenon on the membrane surface was characterized by Energy Dispersive Analysis of X-ray (EDX). The different phases of the growth of algae and their components were measured in samples dried at 40°C, by elemental analysis and thermal analysis (TG-DTA-Thermogravimetric analysis and differential thermal analysis). The experimental results indicate that the use of microfiltration membranes provides the retention of microalgae, contributing to the increase in the concentration of algal biomass and allowing the manipulation of the composition according to the conditions under which these microrganisms are subjected.

Neste trabalho de mestrado, investigou-se o desempenho de membranas poliméricas de microfiltração para retenção de microalgas (Chlorella sorokiniana) em um fotobiorreator com capacidade volumétrica de 3,5 L, alimentado por um fluxo contínuo de nutrientes com pH 7,0 em condições controladas de temperatura (21°C no meio de cultura e 24°C no meio), borbulhamento de ar e luminosidade (2500 lux, em fotoperíodo de 12/12 horas claro/escuro). Membranas comerciais de tamanho médio de poros 0,8, 1,2, 3,0 e 5,0 μm foram testadas pelo tempo suficiente para esgotamento do limite da permeação da membrana. A concentração das microalgas no fotobiorreator foi analisada através de densidade óptica (espectofotometria) ao número de células (contagem de unidades de células em lâminas do tipo Fuchs Rosenthal - Microscopia Óptica) das amostras de concentrado e permeado. O fenômeno físico de polarização sobre a superfície da membrana está diretamente relacionado ao desempenho da mesma na retenção de microalgas, portanto, fotomicrografias (MEV) da membrana antes e após a microfiltração foram analisadas e comparadas. Para analisar a composição química das microalgas, bem como sua afinidade com as membranas, foram investigadas a composição e a caracterização do fenômeno químico sobre a superfície da membrana, por análise de Energia Dispersiva de Raio-X (EDX). Análises das diferentes fases de crescimento das algas e seus componentes foram feitas em amostras secas a 40°C, através de análise elementar e análises térmicas (TG- Análise Termogravimétrica e DTA- Análise Térmica Diferencial). Os resultados experimentais obtidos neste trabalho permitiram concluir que o uso de membranas de microfiltração em fotobiorreator proporciona a retenção das microalgas, o que contribui para o aumento da concentração da biomassa algal, permitindo a manipulação da sua composição de acordo com as condições pelas quais estes microrganismos são submetidos. / This dissertation investigates the performance of polymeric microfiltration membranes for microalgae retention (Chlorella sorokiniana) in photobioreactor with a volumetric capacity of 3.5 L. The reactor is fed by a continuous flow of nutrients under controlled conditions of pH (7,0) and the temperature (21°C in culture medium and 24°C in the environment), bubbling air and light (2500 lux, with a photoperiod of 12/12 hour light/dark). Commercial membranes of the average pore sizes of 0.8, 1.2, 3.0 and 5.0 μm were tested by depletion of time sufficient to limit the permeation of the membranes. The microalgae concentration in the photobioreactor was analyzed by optical density (spectrophotometry) and number of cells (cell units count on Fuchs Rosenthal type plates-Optical Microscopy). The physical phenomenon of polarization on the surface of the membrane is directly related to its performance in the retention of microalgae therefore micrographs (SEM) of the membrane before and after the microfiltration were compared to identify the chemical affinity between the membranescomposition and the microalgae. The chemical phenomenon on the membrane surface was characterized by Energy Dispersive Analysis of X-ray (EDX). The different phases of the growth of algae and their components were measured in samples dried at 40°C, by elemental analysis and thermal analysis (TG-DTA-Thermogravimetric analysis and differential thermal analysis). The experimental results indicate that the use of microfiltration membranes provides the retention of microalgae, contributing to the increase in the concentration of algal biomass and allowing the manipulation of the composition according to the conditions under which these microrganisms are subjected.

Growing interest in biofuel production from non-fossil fuel sources has resulted in several studies exploring different raw material sources as feedstock, including many algae species, for large-scale production of biofuel. Algae are promising feedstock due to advantages such as its short growth cycle, high biomass production, and lipid content. However, there are still challenges to overcome in order to use algae for commercial biofuel production. One of these challenges is the requirement for a large quantity of water and nutrients needed for growing large quantities of the algae. This work explores a potential solution to this challenge by studying the possibility of using industrial wastewater to grow algae for biofuel production. However, many industrial wastewaters, including effluents from semiconductor processing plants, are known to contain heavy metals that are toxic to humans and the environment. In this work, the effects of four of such metals ions, As(V), As(III), Ga(III), and In(III) on Chlorella sorokiniana and Scenedesmus obliquus strains were studied. In particular, the heavy metal toxicity on the strains, effects on its growth rate, biomass yield, lipid content and fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) were studied. Also, the effect of controlling pH on growth rate, biomass yield, lipid content, and FAME was studied for Chlorella sorokiniana in the presence of Ga(III). The results of the study confirmed the toxicity of these metals on both strains. However, Ga(III) and In(III) had the highest effect, while As(V) showed the least toxicity to the strains, with Chlorella sorokiniana withstanding concentrations of As(V) as high as 140mg/L. The heavy metals were slightly more toxic to Scenedesmus obliquus compared to Chlorella sorokiniana. In addition, the heavy metals reduced the growth rate of both strains. High percent changes in growth rate (more than 50%) were seen in cultures containing Ga(III) and In(III). Furthermore, concentration measurements with Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometer (ICP) before, during, and at the end of the growth period, showed that Scenedesmus obliquus adsorbed higher amounts of the heavy metals compared to Chlorella sorokiniana. Microalgae biosorption of heavy metals limits its end use, hence making Scenedesmus obliquus a less favorable option for this study, but may be a better choice for wastewater treatment applications. The effects of the four metals on the lipid content and FAME profile of Chlorella sorokiniana were studied. The result showed an increase in Chlorella sorokiniana lipid content in the presence of In(III), but a decrease in the presence of As(V) and As(III). The heavy metals had effects on the strain’s FAME compositions. The fatty acid composition included C16:0, C16:1, C16:2, C16:3, C18:0, C18:1, ω-6, C18:2, ω-6, and C18:3, ω-3 accounting for more than 97% of the total FAME composition. Furthermore, controlling the pH of the culture in the presence of Ga(III) at 6.5 led to higher adsorption of the heavy metal, increase in lipid content, but no significant change in FAME composition.

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD / Biofuel production from microalgae is currently not economically competitive with fossil fuels due to high operational costs. A sustainable system needs to be developed which considers cultivation, harvesting and conversion to fuels as a single loop. The harvesting step has been identified as a major bottleneck within the biofuel production process, contributing to a significant proportion of the operational cost (20-30%). Chemical flocculation is a more affordable alternative to centrifugation and filtration. Chemical flocculants however negatively impact the quality of biomass and conversion efficiency to biofuel by increasing biomass ash content. Bioflocculation with biopolymers or microbes have a minimal impact on the quality of biomass. In this study, the interaction between the filamentous fungus Isaria fumosorosea and the microalgae C. sorokiniana is investigated. Under strict autotrophic conditions at pH 7-8, co-culture of microalgae (2-20 μm) with fungal blastospores resulted in theidevelopment of large pellets (1-2 mm) which may be easily harvested by sedimentation or filtration at 95% harvesting efficiency. Fungal assisted bioflocculation was compared to other harvesting methods with respect to cost and impact on the hydrothermal conversion process. Low cost carbon sources, including waste hydrothermal nutrients, minimal sugar concentrations and algal exudate may reduce fungal cultivation costs. Waste products, such as organic carbon, N, P, CO₂ and trace metals can be recycled and used for algae and fungal cultivation, closing the loop to make the system sustainable. / National Research Foundation; Swiss Government

No description available.

Growth media recycling during algae cultivation is necessary to increase the efficiency and reduce the cost of biofuel production from algae feedstocks. Without recycling media, the cost of algae based biofuel production would be prohibitively high and large scale algae based biofuel production would not be economically viable. The ratio of media recycled to media wasted assumed for algae farms is generally calculated to maintain salt concentrations below growth inhibitory levels, ignoring the influence of secondary metabolites which might decrease productivity. Secondary metabolites, which include allelopathic or auto-inhibitory biological contaminants, might lead to the accumulation of growth-inhibiting compounds in recycled media used in algae production. Chlorella sorokiniana (strain DOE1412) was a leading algae biofuel feedstock candidate and has not previously been evaluated for inhibitor production. To test the effects of water recycling on the growth of DOE1412, media was recycled through multiple rounds of algae cultivation. DOE1412 was grown in modified BG11 culture media until reaching the end of linear growth phase, at which point the biomass was removed, nutrients replenished to their initial concentrations, and the recycled culture media used for a subsequent round of growth. The culture media was recycled through five rounds of growth with cultures grown on recycled media compared to controls grown on freshly prepared growth media. Biomass density was monitored via optical density and the specific and productivity growth rates were used to quantify the extent of inhibition. Exploratory work was performed with the goal of identifying potential inhibitory substances produced by DOE1412 during cultivation. Samples of recycled media were analyzed for polyunsaturated fatty acids which have been demonstrated to be inhibitory. The carbohydrates content of used media was analyzed to assess the amount of organic materials shed by DOE1412 into recycled media during growth. The log phase growth rate (day-1) of DOE1412 was inhibited by 3±2%, 8±1%, 10±2%, and 18.6±0.9% when grown in media recycled 1-4 times, respectively, with a 99% level of confidence that inhibition was observed in each round of regrowth. The productivity growth rate (OD750/day) of DOE1412 was not inhibited in media recycled 1-3 times. The productivity growth rate of DOE1412 was inhibited by 13±3% when grown in media recycled 4 times with a 99% level of confidence that inhibition was observed. Zinc was found to accumulate in the recycled media to potentially toxic levels (>0.09 mg/L), therefore it is uncertain if the observed inhibition was due to an accumulation of inhibitory secondary metabolites or the accumulation of zinc. Two inhibitory polyunsaturated acids, linoleic and linolenic acid, were identified in media recycled 4 times. The carbohydrate content of recycled media fluctuated between 8-10% of total fixed carbon in media recycled 1-3 times and increased to 18% in media recycled 4 times. However, changes observed in media recycled 4 times may have been due to improper storage of used media.

The ammonium inducible nicotinamide phosphate-specific glutamate dehydrogenase from Chlorella sorokiniana has been purified 260-fold to homogeneity. Depending on the technique used, the native enzyme appeared to have a molecular mass of 290,000 to 400,000 daltons and to be composed of subunits with an identical molecular weight of 58,000. Differences in the molecular weight of the native enzyme, as determined by sedimentation equilibrium, Sephadex G-200 gel filtration and gradient polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, indicate that the native enzyme may be elliptical in shape. The amino acid composition of the enzyme is high in glycine, glutamate, and asparate. Moreover, the arginine to lysine ratio is similar to those measured in other glutamate dehydrogenases. The Nterminal amino acid is unavailable to dansylation. All six cysteines in the enzyme are in the free sulfhydryl form. The enzyme is very specific for the reduced and oxidized forms of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate and has less than 0.5 percent of maximal activity, using the oxidized and reduced forms of nicotinamide adine dinucleotide. With low concentrations of the substrates, no cooperativity was seen; however severe substrate inhibition was observed with a-ketoglutarate. Antiserum produced to the subunits of the enzyme yielded a single precipitin band against purified enzyme in Ouchterlony double diffusion analysis. "Rocket" immunoelectrophoresis has been used to quantify the amount of antigen present in samples of the purified enzyme. / Master of Science

As microalgas são fontes sustentáveis de bioprodutos com alto valor agregado, que podem ser utilizados para diversos fins, tais como alimento, matéria-prima e energia. Devido a isso, as microalgas se condicionam como uma solução para suprir o aumento da população mundial, com a vantagem de serem obtidas sem uso de energia fóssil e terras agricultáveis. Entretanto, os custos associados à produção de microalgas ainda é muito alto, o que inviabiliza o seu uso em grande escala. A combinação do tratamento de esgoto e o crescimento de microalgas é uma promissora alternativa para reduzir os custos relacionados ao cultivo. No entanto, o esgoto afluente das ETEs brasileiras são altamente diluídos, o que torna o seu uso impraticável do ponto de vista técnico e econômico para o cultivo de microalgas. Nesse contexto, o presente trabalho propõe uma mistura de esgoto (esgoto sanitário e de suinocultura), visando aumentar a concentração de nutrientes (carbono, nitrogênio e fósforo), para o cultivo de Chlorella sorokiniana. Os resultados são promissores, com produção média de 1 g.L-1 de C. sorokiniana e remoção média de carbono inorgânico dissolvido (CID), ortofosfato (PO43-) e amônia (NH3) de 46 a 56%, 40 a 60% e 100%, respectivamente. Foi verificado que a remoção de NH3 por air stripping durante o cultivo afetou negativamente a produtividade de biomassa e remoção de nutrientes. Além disso, algumas propostas de separação foram estudadas, uma vez que essa etapa pode representar de 20 a 60% dos custos totais de produção de microalga. A alteração de pH seguida pela FAD apresentou altas eficiências (96,5 a 97,9%) nos pH de 12 a 13. A coagulação seguida pela FAD foi estudada utilizando coagulantes orgânicos e inorgânicos. As melhores doses foram de 10 mg·L-1 Zetag 8185; 75 mg·L-1 Tanfloc SG; 500 mg·L-1 Al2(SO4)3 e 1000 mg·L-1 FeCl3 que apresentaram uma eficiência máxima de 98,4; 94,5; 95,4; 96,7%; respectivamente. A sedimentação pela floculação alcalina com precipitados de fosfato de cálcio é eficiente, porém pode ser sensível à presença de compostos proteicos presentes no esgoto (albumina e matéria orgânica bacteriana). Entretanto, foram encontradas condições (pH 8 e 10) e concentrações (10 mg·L-1), nas quais a floculação alcalina foi efetiva. / Microalgae are sustainable sources of high-value bioproducts that can be used for a variety of purposes, such as food, raw materials and energy. For this reason, the microalgae are conditioned as a solution to supply the increase of the world population, with the advantage of being obtained without using fossil energy and arable land. However, the costs associated with the production of microalgae are still very high, which makes it impossible to use them in large-scale. The combination of wastewater treatment and microalgae cultivation is a viable option to reduce expenses related to cultivation. However, municipal wastewater from the centralized Brazilian sanitation system is highly diluted, and it is technically and economically impractical to use it for microalgae cultivation. In this context, the present work proposes a wastewater mixture (municipal and swine wastewater), aiming to increase the concentration of nutrients (carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus) for the cultivation of Chlorella sorokiniana. The results are promising, C. sorokiniana production reached around 1 g.L-1, with dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), ortophosphate (PO43-) and ammonia (NH3) average removal from 46 to 56%, 40 to 60% and 100%, respectively. It was found that NH3 removal by air stripping during cultivation negatively affected the biomass productivity and nutrient removal. In addition, some harvesting method proposals have been studied, since this step represents 20 to 60% of the total costs of microalgae production. The pH modulation followed by DAF showed high efficiencies (96.5 to 97.9%) at pH 12 to 13. Coagulation followed by DAF was studied using organic and inorganic coagulants. The best doses were 10 mg·L-1 Zetag 8185; 75 mg·L-1 Tanfloc SG; 500 mg·L-1 Al2(SO4)3 and 1000 mg·L-1 FeCl3 which had a maximum efficiency of 98.4, 94.5, 95.4, 96.7%, respectively. Alkaline flocculation using calcium phosphate precipitates is an efficient harvesting method, but it can be sensitive to the presence of protein compounds in the wastewater (albumin and bacterial organic matter). However, it was found conditions (pH 8 e 10) and concentrations (10 mg·L-1) at which alkaline flocculation was effective.

Existe um grande potencial para a expansão da produção de microalgas, tanto pela variedade de usos quanto pelos produtos que delas podem ser derivados. Dentre esses usos, as características nutricionais e funcionais conferem às algas alto valor biológico para uso em nutrição humana e animal. No entanto, são poucos os estudos que avaliam seu potencial na nutrição de peixes, mais especificadamente de tilápia, um dos principais produtos da aquicultura mundial. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o potencial de uso de duas espécies de microalgas e o nível ótimo de inclusão da Schizochytrium em dietas para a tilápia. Para tanto, foram realizados ensaios para avaliação do coeficiente de digestibilidade aparente (CDA) de uma microalga rica em proteína, Chlorella sorokiniana, e outra rica em energia, a Schizochytrium sp., ao longo de ensaios de desempenho e digestibilidade de rações contendo níveis crescentes (0%; 1%; 2,5%; 5%; 7,5% e 10%) de Schizochytrium sp. a fim de determinar o nível ótimo de inclusão nas dietas. As microalgas apresentaram altos coeficientes de digestibilidade para a tilápia, com CDA para a proteína de 90,51 e 97,20 % e para energia de 84,22 e 82,55 %, para a Chlorella e Schizochytrium, respectivamente. Os níveis crescentes de inclusão da Schizochytrium alteraram a digestibilidade das rações de forma decrescente para a proteína, passando de um CDA de 88,07 para 86,01, e energia, de um CDA de 74,19 para 67,35. No ensaio de desempenho foi registrado aumento no consumo de ração e piora na conversão alimentar aparente, sem que outros parâmetros de desempenho zootécnico fossem alterados, à medida que aumentava os níveis de inclusão da Schizochytrium na dieta. Não foram registradas alterações nos conteúdos de macro nutrientes na carcaça dos peixes, no entanto, os níveis crescentes de inclusão alteraram o perfil de ácidos graxos aumentando a quantidade de ácidos graxos n-3 no filé, principalmente do ácido docosaexaenoico (DHA), e redução na relação n-6/n-3. Dessa forma, é possível a utilizar Schizochytrium sp. como aditivo nas dietas para alteração do perfil de ácidos graxos da tilápia, enriquecendo os filés com ácidos graxos n-3, com pouco prejuízo nos parâmetros de desempenho. / There is a great potential for expand the microalgae production as by the variety of it uses as for the products and processes which may derive from them. Amongst such uses, nutritional and functional characteristics provide them a high biological value for use in human and animal nutrition. Nevertheless, few studies have evaluated their potential for fish nutrition more specifically tilapia, which is one of the main aquaculture products in the world. The aim of this research was to evaluate the potential use of two microalgae and the optimal level of inclusion of Schizochytrium in diets for tilápia. Therefore, tests were conducted to evaluate the apparent digestibility coefficient (ADC) of microalgae with high protein content Chlorella sorokiniana and another with high energy, Schizochytrium sp. and also performance assay and feed digestibility containing inclusion levels (0%, 1%, 2.5%, 5%, 7.5% and 10%) of Schizochytrium in order to determine the optimum addition level. Both species were very digestible for tilapia with ADCs for protein of 90.51 and 97.20 and for energy 84.22 and 82.55 to Chlorella and Schizochytrium respectively. The increasing levels of inclusion of Schizochytrium changed the digestibility of feed for the protein, through a ADC from 88.07 to 86.01 and for energy from 74.19 to 67.35 ADC. In the growth test as the inclusion of Schizochytrium increased there was an increase in feed intake and feed conversion ratio but any other growth parameters were changed. Regarding the carcass composition, there were no changes in macronutrients composition however, the increasing levels of Schizochytrium altered the fatty acid profile by increasing the amount of omega 3 mainly docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and reduced the n-6/n-3 ratio. Thus, it is possible to use the Schizochytrium to modify the fatty acid profile of tilápia by incorporating omega 3, with little loss in performance parameters.

Existe um grande potencial para a expansão da produção de microalgas, tanto pela variedade de usos quanto pelos produtos que delas podem ser derivados. Dentre esses usos, as características nutricionais e funcionais conferem às algas alto valor biológico para uso em nutrição humana e animal. No entanto, são poucos os estudos que avaliam seu potencial na nutrição de peixes, mais especificadamente de tilápia, um dos principais produtos da aquicultura mundial. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o potencial de uso de duas espécies de microalgas e o nível ótimo de inclusão da Schizochytrium em dietas para a tilápia. Para tanto, foram realizados ensaios para avaliação do coeficiente de digestibilidade aparente (CDA) de uma microalga rica em proteína, Chlorella sorokiniana, e outra rica em energia, a Schizochytrium sp., ao longo de ensaios de desempenho e digestibilidade de rações contendo níveis crescentes (0%; 1%; 2,5%; 5%; 7,5% e 10%) de Schizochytrium sp. a fim de determinar o nível ótimo de inclusão nas dietas. As microalgas apresentaram altos coeficientes de digestibilidade para a tilápia, com CDA para a proteína de 90,51 e 97,20 % e para energia de 84,22 e 82,55 %, para a Chlorella e Schizochytrium, respectivamente. Os níveis crescentes de inclusão da Schizochytrium alteraram a digestibilidade das rações de forma decrescente para a proteína, passando de um CDA de 88,07 para 86,01, e energia, de um CDA de 74,19 para 67,35. No ensaio de desempenho foi registrado aumento no consumo de ração e piora na conversão alimentar aparente, sem que outros parâmetros de desempenho zootécnico fossem alterados, à medida que aumentava os níveis de inclusão da Schizochytrium na dieta. Não foram registradas alterações nos conteúdos de macro nutrientes na carcaça dos peixes, no entanto, os níveis crescentes de inclusão alteraram o perfil de ácidos graxos aumentando a quantidade de ácidos graxos n-3 no filé, principalmente do ácido docosaexaenoico (DHA), e redução na relação n-6/n-3. Dessa forma, é possível a utilizar Schizochytrium sp. como aditivo nas dietas para alteração do perfil de ácidos graxos da tilápia, enriquecendo os filés com ácidos graxos n-3, com pouco prejuízo nos parâmetros de desempenho. / There is a great potential for expand the microalgae production as by the variety of it uses as for the products and processes which may derive from them. Amongst such uses, nutritional and functional characteristics provide them a high biological value for use in human and animal nutrition. Nevertheless, few studies have evaluated their potential for fish nutrition more specifically tilapia, which is one of the main aquaculture products in the world. The aim of this research was to evaluate the potential use of two microalgae and the optimal level of inclusion of Schizochytrium in diets for tilápia. Therefore, tests were conducted to evaluate the apparent digestibility coefficient (ADC) of microalgae with high protein content Chlorella sorokiniana and another with high energy, Schizochytrium sp. and also performance assay and feed digestibility containing inclusion levels (0%, 1%, 2.5%, 5%, 7.5% and 10%) of Schizochytrium in order to determine the optimum addition level. Both species were very digestible for tilapia with ADCs for protein of 90.51 and 97.20 and for energy 84.22 and 82.55 to Chlorella and Schizochytrium respectively. The increasing levels of inclusion of Schizochytrium changed the digestibility of feed for the protein, through a ADC from 88.07 to 86.01 and for energy from 74.19 to 67.35 ADC. In the growth test as the inclusion of Schizochytrium increased there was an increase in feed intake and feed conversion ratio but any other growth parameters were changed. Regarding the carcass composition, there were no changes in macronutrients composition however, the increasing levels of Schizochytrium altered the fatty acid profile by increasing the amount of omega 3 mainly docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and reduced the n-6/n-3 ratio. Thus, it is possible to use the Schizochytrium to modify the fatty acid profile of tilápia by incorporating omega 3, with little loss in performance parameters.