LEDs have narrow wavelength bands, which can influence microalgae biomass. This study pioneers the evaluation of blue LEDs as an energy source in Chlorella fusca and Synechococcus nidulans cultures. Blue LEDs increased the specific growth rate in Synechococcus nidulans LEB 115 cultures by 80% compared to the standard light used in indoor cultivations. Moreover, blue LEDs also induced lipid accumulation in Chlorella fusca LEB 111 cells, yielding concentrations of this bioproduct of up to 23% (w w(-1)). The chlorophylls and carotenoids were photostimulated proportionally to the LED light intensity. When the intensity of the blue LEDs was increased from 50 to 150 mu mol m(-2) s(-1), the biomass accumulated up to 4.5 and 2.4 times more chlorophylls and carotenoids, respectively. The potential of blue LEDs as an alternative environmentally friendly light source to stimulate biomass and metabolite production for different purposes was demonstrated.