Chemical Mutagenesis of Microalgae Nannochloropsis sp. Using EMS (Ethyl Methanesulfonate)

Abstract

Microalgae ability to grow substantially in a short period of time has become a starting point in rapid biofuel production. To date, only certain microalgae species that produce large biomass, and has high fatty acid content can be turned into raw material in producing biofuel. One of the methods used in increasing microalgae biomass is the mutagenesis method. This mutagenesis research were conducted chemically by adding ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) into microalgae individual cells. The results showed the highest density among three treatments (control, 0.1 M and 0.5 M)