Research Journal of Recent Sciences __________________________________________________ ISSN 2277-2502 Vol. 1(3), 57-62, March (2012) Res.J.Recent Sci. International Science Congress Association 57 Microalgae as an Oil Producer for Biofuel Applications Ananadhi Padmanabhan M.R. 1 and Shaleesha A. Stanley 2 1 Department of Biotechnology, Sathyabama University, Jeppiaar Nagar, Rajiv Gandhi Road, Chennai – 119, Tamil nadu, INDIA 2 Department of Biotechnology, Jeppiaar Engineering College, Jeppiaar Nagar, Rajiv Gandhi Road, Chennai–119, Tamil Nadu, INDIA Available online at: www.isca.in (Received 14 th February 2012, revised 17 th February 2012, accepted 20 th February 2012) Abstract Microalgae are more promising feed stocks to their widespread availability and higher oil yields. As with any biological lipid, this is a potential feedstock for making the renewable fuel biodiesel. However, extracting and purifying oil from algae continues to prove a significant challenge in producing both microalgae byproducts and biofuel, as microbial oil extraction is relatively energy-intensive and costly. The aim of the research work is to produce biodiesel from micro algal species. Chaetoceros sp were identified for the research work and studied for their lipid, carbohydrate and protein content. The main aim of the project is to make use of the algae present in the water bodies and to extract the useful algal oil meant for biodiesel production to meet the challenges of fuel requirement in the present scenario. Microalgal oil was extracted from Chaetoceros sp. and the physico- chemical properties were determined. The density, viscosity, acid value, saponification value and free fatty acids were recorded as 1.305gm/ml, 6.2mm 2 /s, 2.5339mg/gm of oil, 173.56mg/gm of oil, and 0.71gm/100 gm of algae (Oleic acid). The fatty acid profile showed pentadecanoic acid (17.56%), 1.Nonadecenoic acid (20.1%), methyl palmitate (2.91%), methyl linoleate (12.07%), palmitic acid (1.97%) as major fatty acids. Key Words: Chaetoceros sp., single cell oil, solvent extraction, and GC-MS analysis. Introduction In recent years, global warming, world oil supply, energy demand have all played a part in the push for alternatives to petroleum-based fuels. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) affirms that during the 20 th century, the Earth’s average temperature increased by 0.6°C and will continue to increase anywhere from 1.5°C to 4.5°C by the year 2100 1 . This increase in global temperature is enough to cause flooding in coastal regions and make storms like Hurricane Katrina a more common occurrence 2 . The major force in rising global temperatures is anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions, which accounts for 80% of all greenhouse gases produced 1 . In contrast to the hydrogen alternative, biodiesel is a more immediate option as a renewable fuel source. Biodiesel contains no sulfur or aromatics, and use of biodiesel in a conventional diesel engine results in substantial reduction of unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and particulate matter (Biodiesel Emissions). Biodiesel consists of alkyl esters of long chain fatty acids that are derived from oils and fats produced by organisms 3 . There are a number of animal fats and plants that can be used to produce biodiesel. Animal fats that are usually used include lard, yellow grease, and tallow 4 . Plants that are typically grown for biodiesel include corn, cottonseed, peanut, rapeseed, and soybean 5 . Currently, the supply of biodiesel from animal fats and plant oils is not enough to completely support the world's energy needs. It is also not economically feasible to rely completely on plants and animal fats for biodiesel. A large amount of land conversion from forestry and food agriculture would be required; furthermore, not all land may be suitable for crops 1 . In addition, an increase in crops would be conducive to increased amounts of pesticide and fertilizer, which would damage the environment 6 . Microalgae have been investigated as a potential source for biodiesel. Microalgae can build a global oil supply chain that is sustainable and delivers fuel. It will be the supplier to the biodiesel business. Marine algae or sea weeds are the oldest members of plant kingdom. The existing large scale natural sources of algae are: Bogs, marshes and swamps (salt marshes and salt lakes). Marine algae contain lipids and fatty acids as membrane components, storage products, metabolites and source of energy. The US Department of Energy reports that biodiesel produced from algae could see yields greater than oilseed crops 7 . Micro-algae are the fastest growing photosynthesizing organisms. They can complete an entire growing cycle every few days. Algae produce 100 times more oil per acre than traditional food oilseed crops such as soy, etc. Marine algae contain lipids and fatty acids as membrane components, storage products, metabolites and source of energy. Algae contain about 2% lipid and 40% fatty oils by weight 8 . Today Algae are used by humans in many ways; for example, as fertilizers, soil conditioners and livestock feed. They can double their mass several times a day and produce at least 15 times more oil per acre than alternatives such as rapeseed, palms, soybeans, or jatropha. Moreover, algae-growing facilities can be built on coastal land unsuitable for conventional agriculture.