These two species, in particular phytoplankton,
increase in numbers rapidly to form algae blooms [12]. Like
higher plants, they produce storage lipids in the form of TAGs. Many
species exhibit rapid growth and high productivity, and many microalgal
species can be induced to accumulate substantial quantities
of lipids, often greater than 60% of their dry biomass [13]. Microalgae
are very efficient solar energy converters and they can produce
a great variety of metabolites. Man has always tried to take advantage
of these properties through algal mass culture.