Microalgal biomass is recognized as a renewable alternative for food and biodiesel due to the large amount of product obtained in a short time, compared to superior oilseeds. The relationship between oxidative stress in Nannochloropsis and lipid productivity is reported. Through the study of the mechanisms of oxidative stress and the adaptability or antioxidant defense, it is proposed to use the cellular response to stress to optimize yield performance. For this, the oxidative changes in physiology and biochemistry of the algae metabolism over growth will be analyzed in microalgae. Cultures of Nannochloropsis oculata were established under laboratory conditions and the growth curve was determined in terms of optical density, absorbance and cell number. The oxidative balance was evaluated based on the oxidation of fluorescent markers in each growth phase. The enzymatic antioxidant capacity was determined by evaluating the activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione transferase during the growth phases of the culture. The non-enzymatic antioxidant capacity was determined by evaluating the content of α-tocopherol, carotenes and total thiols during development of the culture. Metabolic knowledge is essential for the intervention of genetic engineering for the optimization of the strains. Subsequently, this information could be employed to access strategies that allow large-scale products of great biological value of global interest.