Optimising Biofuel Precursor and Eicosapentaenoic Acid Coproduction in Nannochloropsis occulta

Aviation remains dependent on fossil derived liquid fuels, necessitating transitional strategies that balance sustainability with operational feasibility. Microalgal biofuels offer promise but remain economically constrained by cultivation and processing costs. Coproduction of high value compounds such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) alongside biofuel precursors may improve economic viability. This project investigated Nannochloropsis occulta as a coproduction candidate and sought to develop a fluorescence-based method for real-time EPA quantification using N,N-diphenylacridin-9-amine. Although reagent delays prevented completion of probe synthesis, major progress was achieved in establishing synthetic protocols, a UV-LED photochemical initiation system, controlled cultivation infrastructure, and real-time optical density monitoring. Fluorescence microscopy validated reliable quantification of neutral and polar lipid fractions. These developments reduce barriers to EPA selective imaging within microalgae and position coproduction as a viable component of sustainable aviation fuel strategies.