The aim of this work is to investigate the effects of the variation in the culture parameters on the production of lipids. We first determined the best conditions to promote biomass productivity. Then, we set up a culture system in two steps: the first step is to promote the growth of the algal biomass, via the use of a culture medium enriched in nutrients, in order to have a high concentration in the cell; and the second step consisting in stimulating the production of lipids, by inducing stress to the algal cells, via the substitution of essential nutrients.
                Experimental results have shown that favouring growth kinetics is to the detriment of oil content. Indeed, a deficiency in essential nutrients (nitrogen and/or phosphorus) inhibits growth but favours lipid production. Lipid content tripled (51.33% dry weight) in N. gaditana grown in the total absence of nutrients (0 g/L nitrogen and phosphorus) compared to controls (12 g/L nitrogen and 5 g/L phosphorus). Nitrogen and phosphorus deficiency stimulates lipid accumulation but leads to a reduction in growth rate, which ultimately impairs lipid productivity. For better lipid productivity, a compromise must be found between growth and cellular lipid accumulation.