Lipid extraction and CO2 mitigation by microalgae and its conversion into biodiesel

Due to increasing oil prices and climate change concerns, biodiesel has gained attention as an alternative energy source. Biodiesel derived from microalgae is a potentially renewable and carbon–neutral alternative to petroleum fuels. Microalgae were isolated in different water bodies and five species were selected based on purity. Chlorella sp. reached high growth rate (0.21 g l-1 dw) when compared to the growth rate of Chematococcus sp. (0.1 g l-1 dw) on 24th day. Rate of CO2 fixation and carbon, in terms of quantity was estimated. Results showed that CO2 fixation was maximum at 0.486 g/dw and carbon biomass was 0.68 g/ml/day in Chlorella sp. Chlorella sp. reached a high lipid content 24.3±0.81% on 24 days of incubation. The fatty acid compositions were analysed by Gas chromatography, Chlorella sp. showed highest amount of oleic acid (16.43 mg g-1 dw). The results suggest that Chlorella sp. can be useful for producing biodiesel.