Screening of local freshwater microalgae producing biodiesel

A novel green microalgae strain from freshwater pond at Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, Kampus Jeli has been isolated and identified as a potential feedstock for biodiesel production. The microalgae found were in Chlorophyceae class based on its morphological characterization. The lipid content and lipid productivity was investigated and analyzed under autotrophic conditions. The lipid content was little (8.82%) and the lipid productivity was 27.98 mg L⁻¹ d⁻¹. The fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) analysis obtained from using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) by using two different methods. Method A was used for simultaneous determination total amounts of monoacylglycerides, diacylglycerides, triacylglyceride and fatty acid methyl ester in microalgae samples_ Analyses were carried out at 40°C for 10 min using a gradient elution of methanol (MeOH) and 2-propanol-hexane 5:4 (v/v) (PrHex). Another method used (Method B) with acetonitrile gradient elution for 34 min was used to determine the fatty acid composition of oils analyzing their methyl ester derivatives. The methods were compared by analysis the retention time and areas of the peak of the HPLC result in determine microalgae producing biodiesel.