Scenedesmus as a potential source of biodiesel among selected microalgae

Energy security has become a national issue and several attempts are being made to seek viable alternatives in the form of renewable energy to meet the futuristic needs. Biofuel production from microalgae is considered as an effective strategy in this endeavour. Seven microalgae, viz. Chlorella, Haematococcus, Ulothrix, Chlorococcum, Scenedesmus, Rivularia and Scytonema were selected from 16 isolated cultures from six freshwater bodies. Ulothrix sp. reached a high growth rate of 0.42 +/- 0.01 g/l and low lipid content of 5.56 +/- 0.81% on the 15th day of incubation. Under similar conditions, Scenedesmus sp. reached a growth rate of 0.38 +/- 0.01 and recorded a lipid content of 27.4 +/- 0.75%. Algal oil samples were analysed by thin layer chromatography and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The fatty acid composition was detected by gas chromatography. Scenedesmus sp. showed the highest amount of oleic acid (11.77 mg g(-1) dry wt). The results suggest that Scenedesmus sp. is useful for producing biodiesel, based on its high lipid and oleic acid contents.