Evaluation of biodiesel production from microalgae collected from fresh water habitat

Abstract

Background: Algae are the fastest growing in the world. About 50% of their weight is oil. This lipid can be used to make
biodiesel for cars, trucks and airplanes. Algae will someday be competitive as a source of biofuel. Continuous use of petroleum
sourced fuels is now widely recognized as unsustainable because of depleting supplies and the contribution of these fuels to the
accumulation of carbondioxide. Methodology: In this study, we tried to evaluate the physico-chemical properties of algal oil. A
naturally occurring algal sample was collected from Kommaghatta lake, Bangalore. Algae were identified as Spirogyra sps. Oil
was extracted from the dried algal samples using chloroform: methanol as a solvent system. Fatty acid analysis was done in Indian
Institute of Horticultural Research, Bangalore. Physico-chemical properties of algal oil such as density, lipid content, pH were
estimated. Results: Gas chromatographic analysis revealed higher percentage of methyl palmitate, methyl oleate, methyl linoleate.
The physico-chemical properties of algal oil meet the properties of the standard fuel. Conclusion: It is concluded that the algal oil
can be used as a potential biofuel.