Microalgae of Odisha Coast as a Potential Source for Biodiesel Production

Abstract

In recent years microalgae have been proved as the potential source for biodiesel production due to high oil content. In the present study three brackish water microalgal strains (<i>Chlorococcum</i> sp., <i>Chlorella</i> sp. and <i>Scenedesmus</i> sp.) of Odisha coast were screened for the suitability for biodiesel production. Among all, <i>Scenedesmus</i> sp. seems to be the best one for high lipid productivity (24.66mg/L<SUP>/</SUP>day) with high biomass yield of 0.9g/L<SUP> </SUP>at stationary phase. Also the <i>Scenedesmus</i> sp. possesses the most adequate fatty acid profile. The present study suggested that <i>Scenedesmus</i> sp. is appropriate for biodiesel production for its high lipid content; this strain was selected for higher scale studies.