Microalgae cultures and growth performance. Microalgae strains were cultured in f/2 medium, 2-liter Erlenmeyer flasks under controlled condi ons of light intensity (120.0 ± 10 µmol photons m -2 s - 1 ) and temperature (24 ± 1 °C). Cultures in triplicate were maintained under a 16:8 light/dark photoperiod and agita on was provided by filtered air (0.2 µm filtered). CO2 pulses were injected at 15 s per hour during daylight periods. Cultures were inoculated at an op cal density (OD) of 0.1 at 680 nm (Shimadzu UV-1900 UV-VIS spectrophotometer) and growth was followed un l the beginning of the sta onary phase. At this point, cultures were harvested by centrifuga on (Beckmann Coulter Avan JXN-26 centrifuge), to start a new growth period from 0.1 OD in a semi-con nuous mode.