Screening of Biofuel Producing Microalgae from Different Fresh-Water Bodies around Chennai

Aim: The present study is to carry out in search of high biofuel producing microalgae from local fresh water bodies.

Objective: Biofuel is a clean burning fuel currently being produced from algae, vegetable oils or animal fats. Its chemical structure is that of fatty acid alkyl esters.

Methods: Biofuel is produced by trans-esterification of oils with short chain alcohols or by the esterification of fatty acids. The transesterification reaction consists of transforming triglycerides into fatty acid alkyl ester in the presence of an alcohol such as methanol or ethanol and catalyst such as an alkali or acid with glycerol as a by product. Water samples were aseptically collected from selected water bodies. They were subjected to physicochemical analysis and screening of biofuel producers.

Results: The isolated biofuel producing microalgae were grown on their respective media to obtain biomass and their biofuel producing efficacy. Among 5 species isolated one species showed that high biomass and biofuel yield.

Conclusion: It was concluded that the fresh water bodies found around Chennai are the richest source of native biofuel producers and the chlorella stood first in biofuel producing efficiency in our study.