Study of Lipid Accumulation from Chlorococcum Microalga for Biodiesel Conversion

Abstract

Microalgae-derived biodiesel seems to be a viable substitute for petroleum-based transportation fuels as a renewable biofuel. Raising the lipid content of microalgal strains may therefore provide a low-cost second-generation feedstock for the synthesis of biodiesel. Chlorococcum growth and lipid accumulation were investigated under a range of culture conditions, including CO2 concentration, temperature, and nitrate concentrations. The lipid content increased significantly by 33.1 ± 0.28% of dry cell weight in N-/30 ºC/CO2 cultivation in Bristol medium. The highest biomass productivity was achieved at 30ºC when there was adequate nitrogen and CO2 supplementation (N+/30 oC/CO2). Gas chromatography was employed to determine the proper ratio of fatty acids. The biomass of chlorococcum shows great potential as a feedstock for the manufacture of biodiesel since it is mostly composed of oleic and linoleic fatty acids.