Analysis of physiologic characteristics of green algae for biodiesel production

Global warming, due to the excessive use of fossil fuels, rising prices, environmental pollution, and greenhouse gas emission, have made scientists produce a renewable fuel as a replacement for fossil fuels. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of four species of green algae as raw materials for biodiesel production. After purification, samples were kept in BBM and N8 culture medium at 25° C, pH 7, and under constant light. Growth rate, chlorophyll content, carotenoid concentration, and lipid content were measured. The total fatty acid contents and fatty acid profiles were measured with FTIR and GC-Mass, respectively. Findings showed that the highest growth rate and biomass production, and the minimum division time and also the maximum lipid contents belonged to the green algae Scenedesmussp ISC 94. Moreover, palmitic acid (42.74%), stearic acid (29.56%), palmitoleic acid (10.2%), oleic acid (6.72%), linoleic acid (1.72%), and α-linolenic acid (1.64%) were measured in Scenedesmussp ISC 94. The fatty acid composition of the microalgal lipid comprised over %80 of saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids with a double bound. Also, palmitic and oleic acids were the majore fatty acids isolated. Therefore, ecause of high lipid production and the best lipid content, Scenedesmussp ISC 94 is recommended for its potential as a biodiesel feedstock.