Effects of F/2 media modification on growth and antioxidant activity of microalga Nannochloropsis oculata

Nannochloropsis oculata is a common microalga that can be found in marine water. One of the most commonly used media for microalga culture is F/2 media; however, the optimum F/2 media composition for N. oculata growth is rarely informed. Therefore, the aims of this study are to determine the effect of F/2 medium modification on the growth of  N. oculata and the antioxidant activity of N. oculata. This study consists of several procedures including; cultivation, growth observation (cell density and biomass), extraction, and antioxidant activity of N. oculata extracts. The highest growth (cell density and biomass) of N. oculata was found in media F/2 + 0.5 ml, while the lowest was in media F/2 - 0.5 ml. The strongest antioxidant activity of N. oculata was found in media F/2 + 1 ml, and the lowest was in the media F/2 - 0.5 ml. Media modification gave different results on cell density, biomass, and antioxidant activity of microalgae N. oculata.