Impact of Zero-Valent Iron Nanoparticles on Transesterified Lipids and Fatty Acid Methyl Esters.

Efforts to enhance the transformative potential of biofuels is an important step to achieving an environment-friendly and sustainable energy source. is an ideal third-generation biofuel agent due to its ability to produce lipids and desirable essential fatty acids. In this study, the impact of Nanofer 25s nanoscale zero-valent iron nanoparticles (nZVIs) on total lipid content and fatty acid composition of strains SF33 and B481 was investigated. We observed significant increases ( < 0.05) in the growth of treated with 0.2-1.6 mg L Nanofer 25s, indicating that trace concentrations of nZVIs were not toxic to the organism. Chlorophyll , carotenoids, and phycobiliprotein levels were not altered in treated with nZVIs ranging from 0.4 to 1.6 mg L, confirming that these concentrations did not negatively impact photosynthetic efficacy. In addition, Nanofer 25s ranging from 0.2 to 1.6 mg L had an optimal impact on SF33 and B481 total lipid content. We identified significant increases in unsaturated fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) from Nanofer 25s-treated transesterified lipids. Theoretical chemical and physical biofuel properties revealed a product with elevated cetane number and oxidative stability for both strains. Scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy validated the localization of nZVIs. Our findings indicate that Nanofer 25s nZVIs significantly enhance total lipid content and essential FAMEs, thus offering a promising approach to augment the potential of the cyanobacterium as a large-scale biofuel agent.