Total Protein Content Determination of Microalgal Biomass by Elemental Nitrogen Analysis and a Dedicated Nitrogen-to-Protein Conversion Factor

Lieve Laurens; Jessica Olstad-Thompson; David Templeton

doi:10.1007/978-1-0716-5031-8_11

Total Protein Content Determination of Microalgal Biomass by Elemental Nitrogen Analysis and a Dedicated Nitrogen-to-Protein Conversion Factor

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter

Abstract

Accurately determining protein content is important in the valorization of algal biomass in food, feed, and fuel markets, where these values are used for component balance calculations. Using elemental nitrogen content to calculate protein concentration in the biomass is a well-accepted and widely practiced method and depends on developing a validated and appropriate nitrogen-to-protein conversion factor. The methodology reported here covers the quantitative assessment of the total nitrogen content of algal biomass and a description of the methodology that underpins the accurate de novo calculation of a dedicated nitrogen-to-protein conversion factor.

Original language	American English
Title of host publication	Biofuels from Algae: Methods and Protocols, Second Edition
Subtitle of host publication	Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 2996
Editors	K. Spilling
Pages	113-121
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-5031-8_11
State	Published - 2026

Bibliographical note

For first edition, see NREL/CH-5100-71450

NLR Publication Number

NLR/CH-5100-100683

Keywords

amino acids
nitrogen analysis
nitrogen-to-protein conversion factor
protein

Access to Document

10.1007/978-1-0716-5031-8_11

Cite this

Laurens, L., Olstad-Thompson, J., & Templeton, D. (2026). Total Protein Content Determination of Microalgal Biomass by Elemental Nitrogen Analysis and a Dedicated Nitrogen-to-Protein Conversion Factor. In K. Spilling (Ed.), Biofuels from Algae: Methods and Protocols, Second Edition: Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 2996 (pp. 113-121) https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-5031-8_11

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abstract = "Accurately determining protein content is important in the valorization of algal biomass in food, feed, and fuel markets, where these values are used for component balance calculations. Using elemental nitrogen content to calculate protein concentration in the biomass is a well-accepted and widely practiced method and depends on developing a validated and appropriate nitrogen-to-protein conversion factor. The methodology reported here covers the quantitative assessment of the total nitrogen content of algal biomass and a description of the methodology that underpins the accurate de novo calculation of a dedicated nitrogen-to-protein conversion factor.",

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Laurens, L , Olstad-Thompson, J & Templeton, D 2026, Total Protein Content Determination of Microalgal Biomass by Elemental Nitrogen Analysis and a Dedicated Nitrogen-to-Protein Conversion Factor. in K Spilling (ed.), Biofuels from Algae: Methods and Protocols, Second Edition: Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 2996. pp. 113-121. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-5031-8_11

Total Protein Content Determination of Microalgal Biomass by Elemental Nitrogen Analysis and a Dedicated Nitrogen-to-Protein Conversion Factor. / Laurens, Lieve ; Olstad-Thompson, Jessica; Templeton, David.
Biofuels from Algae: Methods and Protocols, Second Edition: Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 2996. ed. / K. Spilling. 2026. p. 113-121.

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter

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AU - Templeton, David

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AB - Accurately determining protein content is important in the valorization of algal biomass in food, feed, and fuel markets, where these values are used for component balance calculations. Using elemental nitrogen content to calculate protein concentration in the biomass is a well-accepted and widely practiced method and depends on developing a validated and appropriate nitrogen-to-protein conversion factor. The methodology reported here covers the quantitative assessment of the total nitrogen content of algal biomass and a description of the methodology that underpins the accurate de novo calculation of a dedicated nitrogen-to-protein conversion factor.

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KW - nitrogen analysis

KW - nitrogen-to-protein conversion factor

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BT - Biofuels from Algae: Methods and Protocols, Second Edition

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