Grow the Rainbow: The Effect of Different Wavelengths of Light on the Cell Mass of Piccohlorum oklaomese

Abstract

Algae produces biofuels through supplying a high quantity of lipids, which become diesel fuel. These biofuels are vital in maintaining healthy environmental conditions. Our experiment examined the affect of green, purple, red, and white light on the cell density of Piccohlorum oklaomese to test the most effective light under which algae can be grown. Our hypothesis was that the algae would grow the most effectively under white light. To test this hypothesis, we created four photobioreactors and placed them under the corresponding colors of lights for one week. Then, we found the mass per cell value of the algae in each photobioreactor. The results demonstrate that the algae under the white light contains the highest mass per cell value, and the algae under the green light contains the lowest mass per cell value. Since white light contains the wavelengths of all the colors, it will provide the algae with the most energy from photosynthesis thus increasing the growth rate. The overall conclusion demonstrated that the growth rate of the algae was dependent on the absorption spectrum of chlorophyll a. Future research could examine the effect of additional colors on the growth rat­e of algae.