International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR) ISSN (Online): 2319-7064 Volume 2 Issue 11, November 2013 www.ijsr.net Production of Biofuel from Algae: An Economic and Eco-Friendly Resource Devendra Pratap Singh 1 , Rakesh Kumar Trivedi 2 1 Department of Chemistry, Dr. A. I.T. H., U.P. Awadhpuri, Kanpur, India 2 Professor & Head, Department of Oil and Paint Technology, H. B.T.l., Kanpur 208002, India Abstract: Biomass is a renewable energy resource derived from the carbonaceous waste of various human and natural activities. Bio-fuels such as ethanol, biodiesel are important because they replace petroleum fuels. Production of bio-ethanol from kinds of biomass is one way to reduce both consumption of crude oil and environmental pollution. Using bio-ethanol blended gasoline fuel for automobiles can significantly reduce petroleum use and exhaust greenhouse gas emission. Biofuel production from renewable sources is widely considered to be one of the most sustainable alternatives to petroleum sourced fuels and a viable means for environmental and economic sustainability. Microalgae are currently being promoted as an ideal third generation biofuel feedstock because of their rapid growth rate, CO 2 fixation ability and high production capacity of lipids; they also do not compete with food or feed crops, and can be produced on non-arable land. Lignocellulosic biomass and algae are the rich source of carbohydrates and lipids, which may converted in to biofuels. Microalgae have broad bioenergy potential as they can be used to produce liquid transportation and heating fuels, such as biodiesel and bioethanol. The Spirogyra biomass was selected as a substrate for bioethanol production in the process of work, as it is rich in polysaccharides- starch and cellulose. In this content experiment were done in two ways for comparative study. (a) Pretreatment with acid and scarification of algal biomass by Aspergillus Niger (b) Direct scarification of algal biomass. In the first case ethanol concentration was found 4% (w/w). While in case of direct scarification of algal biomass using Aspergillus Niger, 6% (w/w) of alcohol was produced. Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Zymomonasmobilis was comparatively used to ferment the saccharified algal biomass. Addition of lactose and α-amylase were taken for the effective improvement. (i) On addition of 0.12g of lactose maximum alcohol was found 6.6% for direct scarified biomass, while 4.7% ethanol was found in case of acid treated biomass in 6 days. (ii) Presence of 0.09 grams of α-amylase enzyme ethanol production is recorded maximum by fermentation using Zymomonasmobilis than Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Keywords: Pretreatment, Algal biomass, Biofuel, Saccharification, Fermentation. 1. Introduction Biofuel production from renewable sources is widely considered to be one of the most sustainable alternatives to petroleum sourced fuels and a viable means for environmental and economic sustainability. Microalgae are currently being promoted as an ideal third generation biofuel feedstock because of their rapid growth rate, CO 2 fixation ability and high production capacity of lipids; they also do not compete with food or feed crops, and can be produced on non-arable land. Microalgae have broad bioenergy potential as they can be used to produce liquid transportation and heating fuels, such as biodiesel and bioethanol. Microalgal biofuels are a viable alternative for clean, economical and sustainable sources of energy. The research and development of micro-algae needs a massive boost to ease the technical difficulties to overcome the large cost advantage of other biofuel feed stocks. It is a large source of biomass on non-arable lands and capture of CO 2 . Lipids produced from algae contain saturated and polar lipids, which are suitable for use as a fuel feedstock and it exceeds the best producing oil crops. Microalgae, recognized as one of the oldest living organisms, are thallophytes (plants lacking roots, stems, and leaves) that have chlorophyll a as their primary photosynthetic pigment and lack a sterile covering of cells around the reproductive cells [1]. While the mechanism of photosynthesis in these microorganisms is similar to that of higher plants, they are generally more efficient converters of solar energy because of their simple cellular structure. In addition, because the cells grow in aqueous suspension, they have more efficient access to water, CO 2 , and other nutrients [2]. Mostly algae are found in open ponds, stationery water during raining season and are found in fresh water. Vessels such as tubes, flasks, carboys, bags, etc. or ponds covered with green house or usually a photo bioreactor which allows control over illumination, temperature, nutrient level, contamination with predators and other competing algae can be used. Researchers also took the path of creating heterotrophic strains of algae from obligate photoautotrophs due to inadequate luminance. Algal cultures can be defined (one or more selected strains), or are made up of an undefined mixture of strains [3], [4], [5]. Heterotrophic cultivation of micro algae for lipids production does not involve CO 2 mitigation and wastewater treatment programme along with production of algal biofuel. A photo bioreactor is equipment that is used to harvest algae. Photo bioreactors can be set up to be continually harvested (the majority of the larger cultivation systems), or by harvesting a batch at a time (like polyethylene bag cultivation). Some photo bioreactors types include: tubular photo bioreactors, flat-plated photo bioreactors, an inclined triangular tubular photo bioreactor, rectangular tanks, continuous stirred tank reactors (CSTR). Algae are far more oil-rich and offer a higher yield of oil per unit of land in a year compared to terrestrial crops (Table 1). Lipids are one of the main components of micro algae (2- 60% of total cell dry matter) depending on the species and growth conditions [14]. Microalgae contain lipids and fatty acids as membrane components, storage products, metabolites and sources of energy. Microalgal strains with high oil or lipid content are of great interest in the search for a sustainable feedstock for biodiesel. A few micro algal Paper ID: 02013505 352