Low Electromagnetic Fields Applied to Chlorella fusca Cultivation to Increase Production of Microalga-Based Carbohydrates

Magnetic fields (MF) may be generated, either by magnets or by electric current, and may interact with biological systems, causing changes in their properties. Thus, MF in microalga cultures may improve cell growth, alter biomass composition, and produce high-added-value biomolecules of interest. Therefore, this study is aimed at investigating the influence of low electromagnetic field (EMF) application (5 mT) on Chlorella fusca LEB 111 growth, biochemical composition of biomass, and carbohydrate productivity when cultivated in vertical tubular photobioreactors. EMF were applied for 1?h/day for 15?days. They stimulated C. fusca growth by 8.9?% and rendered 1.71?g/L biomass by comparison with the control culture (CC—without any EMF application). EMF application increased carbohydrate content (31.1?%) and carbohydrate productivity (3.54?mg/L·d), which were 24.7 and 35.8?% higher than the CC, respectively. Since studies of low EMF in microalga cultures are scarce, this study elucidated EMF application to C. fusca cultivation as a non-toxic and low-cost alternative whose focus is enhancement of carbohydrate production.