Continuous cultures of Nannochloropsis gaditana, Tetraselmis chuii, Tetraselmis suecica and Phaeodactylum tricornutum were carried out at different dilution rates and culture media in order to check their influence on biomass productivity. N. gaditana attained maximum biomass productivity of 0.49 g/l day at a dilution rate of 0.42 1/day. The influence of nitrate concentration on biomass productivity was tested by continuous cultures of N. gaditana. At 8.0 mM nitrate and dilution rates ranging between 0.30 and 0.40 1/day, maximum biomass productivities were achieved. To enhance lipid accumulation, a two-stage culture strategy consisting in a first stage of nitrate-replete conditions followed by a nitrate-depleted phase was performed. The accumulated productivity was 51 mg(FATTY ACIDS)/1 day. Results showed an important change in the fatty acids profile and an increase in the neutral lipids content, representing 73.1% of total lipids. Additionally, the combination of nitrogen depletion and light stress was proved to contribute to lipid enhancement. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.