Using microalgae in biofuel production

Energy is essential for life and industry development, and the global economy actually runs on energy. The application of fossil fuels as energy sources is unsustainable due to depleting limited resources and also due to the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the environment. Recently researchers showed that microalgae as a source of bioenergy production could meet conditions required for a technically and economically viable biofuel resource. In this work, the screening of 147 microalgae strains from the Persian Gulf and the Qeshm Island (Iran) were done in order to choose the best ones, in terms of growth (biomass) rate and lipid content for biodiesel production. A methodology, combining experiments in lab scale and pilot plant (open pond) used to produce and evaluate biomass and lipid productivity is presented for the systematic investigation of the potential of different microalgae species. Microalgae were screened in two stages using optical density (for evaluation of biomass concentration) and Nile red and gas chromatography (for determination of lipid content and fatty acid fractions). Nannochloropsis sp. and Neochloris sp. were selected from the marine microalgal culture collection, due to their high biomass and oil content. If the purpose is to produce biodiesel only from one species, Nannochloropsis sp. presented the most adequate fatty acid profile, namely linolenic and other polyunsaturated fatty acids. In addition, selected strains could be potent candidates for commercial production in the open pond culture.