This paper evaluated 10 microalgal strains for their potential for biodiesel production by analyzing their growth rate, biomass concentration, lipid productivity, and fatty acid profiles. Five strains - Selenastrum capricornutum, Chlorella vulgaris, Scenedesmus obliqnus, Phaeodactylum tricornutum and Isochrysis sphacrica - were selected as the best candidates due to their high lipid productivity and favorable biodiesel properties. The paper concluded that P. tricornutum was the overall best strain, with a lipid content of 61.43%, lipid productivity of 26.75 mg/L/day, and fatty acid and biodiesel

1. PAPER REVIEW
Evaluation of the potential of 10
microalgal strains for biodiesel
production
Name: Vijendren Krishnan
Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Yoshimitsu Uemura

3. In this study, the potential of 10 algae species for biodiesel production
were evaluated by determining their fatty acid profiles, biodiesel
properties besides growth rate, biomass concentration and lipid
productivity. Among seven strains with high growth and lipid
accumulation properties, excluding Kirchneriella lunaris and Lyngbya
kuetzingii, five species Selenastrum capricornutum, Chlorella vulgaris,
Scenedesmus obliqnus, Phaeodactylum tricornutum and Isochrysis
sphacrica were finally selected for biodiesel production due to their
possessing higher lipid productivity and favorable biodiesel properties.
The best strain was P. tricornutum, with lipid content of 61.43 ± 0.95%,
lipid productivity of 26.75 mg L1 d1, the favorable fatty acid profiles of
C16–C18 (74.50%), C14:0 (11.68%) and C16:1 (22.34%) as well as
suitable biodiesel properties of higher cetane number (55.10), lower
iodine number (99.2 gI2/100 g) and relatively low cloud point (4.47 C).

4. Introduction
• Microalgae posses high qualities such as rapid
biomass concentration, high lipid content, tolerant to
extreme environment.
• Utilization of microalgae for biodiesel production is
also cost effective and environmental friendly.
• FA chain length and degree of unsaturation in FAME
influence:
* Kinematic viscocity * cloud point
* Specific gravity * iodine value
* Cetane number * Higher heating value

5. • FA chain length & degree of unsaturation in FAME
determine fuel properties:
• CN, Vis and CP increases with increasing chain length
• CN, Vis and CP decreases with increasing degree of
unsaturation
• SG, IV and HHV increases with increasing degree of
unsaturation
• SG, IV and HHV decreases with increasing chain
length
• Long chain length and low degree of unsaturation are
preferable biodiesel to get low temp performance and
good oxidative stability.

6. Objective
• To determine if common algae species in local
water system had the potential to accumulate lipid
by assesing their growth and oil yield properties.

7. Methodology
Cultivated in single batch 500ml for 15days.
Growth rate determined by Neubauerhaem
ocytometer slide every 2 days.
K = (lnN – lnN0)/ (t-t0)
Biomass DW determination
Total lipid extraction
FA profile analyses

8. Total Lipid extraction
100mg dried algal transferred into 5 ml (CCl4/MeOH; 2:1)
Homogenized for 10min in ultrasonic homogenizer
Centrifuged at 4000rpm at 12oC for 10min
Supernatant was collected in a separation funnel
Extraction was repeated twice.

9. NaCl (0.9 v/v) added at proportion 1:5 v/v of lipid extract
Extract was shaken vigorously for 1min and allowed to
undergo phase separation for 15min
Organic solvent was dried off from the lower phase using
Nitrogen evaporator

10. Result

13. Conclusion
The best strain was P. tricornutum, with lipid
content of 61.43 ± 0.95%, lipid productivity
of 26.75 mg L1 d1, the favorable FA profiles
of C16–C18 (74.50%) and C16:1 (22.34%)
as well as suitable biodiesel properties of
higher cetane number (55.10), lower iodine
number (99.2 gI2/100 g) and relative low
cloud point (4.47 C).