Mass Production of Microalgae for Bio-Diesel Production
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Date
2012
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
UAS, Dharwad
Abstract
Microalgae are currently considered to be one of the most promising
alternative sources for biodiesel production. In order to identify the potential
microalgae for bio-diesel production, the present study was conducted. Twelve pure
microalgal cultures were isolated from various water samples and were identified up
to genera level. Four reference strains Botryococcus braunii (Ref strain1), Neochloris
oleoabundans, (Ref strain 2) Botryococcus spp. (B6) and Scenedesmus dimorphus
(SD7) were used in this study. Further, biomass production and lipid content were
analysed.
The highest biomass production was noticed in the reference strain
Botryococcus braunii 3.45 g l-1 followed by Chlorella spp. (C3) which produced 3.2 g
l-1. The lipid production in these isolates were 1.73 g l-1 and 1.60 g l-1 respectively.
Four reference strains along with a local isolate Chlorella spp. (C3) were
grown in 3 L bottle amended with four treatments{Sodium nitrate (8.5 mM L-1),
Sodium carbonate (0.2 g l-1), Ferric ammonium citrate (42.8 μM) and a control}.
Among them Ferric ammonium citrate showed maximum biomass, chlorophyll
content and lipid yield i.e. in Botryococcus braunii 3.58g l-1, 10.64μg ml-1, and 1.87 g
l-1 respectively, followed by Chlorella spp. (C3) which recorded 2.82 g l-1, 8.26 μg ml-
1 and 1.42 g l-1 respectively.
The promising two microalgae viz. Botryococcus braunii and Chlorella spp.
(C3) were grown in open tanks. Observations were recorded at 14, 18 and 21 DAI
(Days after Inoculation). The biomass, chlorophyll and lipid yield of 3.50 g l-1, 10.55
μg ml-1 and 1.74 g l-1 respectively were recorded in Botryococcus braunii followed by
Chlorella spp. (C3) which recorded 2.69 g l-1, 8.74 μg ml-1 and 1.29 g l-1respectively.
The lipid extract from Chlorella spp. (C3) was subjected for trans-esterification
process using alkali. Approximately, 70 ml bio-diesel was obtained from 100ml of
lipid.