Screening of four green microalgae potentially used as feedstock for biodiesel and nutraceuticals

Abstract

Detection of oleaginous microalgae with high lipid productivity is a crucial feature for biofuel and nutraceutical production. Therefore, screening of microalgae from different habitats has become highly significant to face the request on these bioresources. Accordingly, the present study aimed to screen the efficiency of biodiesel feedstocks and the ability to accumulate essential fatty acids of four green microalgae (Chlorolobion braunii, Tetradesmus obliquus, Monoraphidium miutum, and Asterarcys quadricellulare), isolated from soil samples of Benha Egypt. Although T.obliquus was the highest biomass productive species (689 mgL− 1d− 1), M. minutum recorded the top of lipid productivity (29 mg L− 1d− 1). Fatty acid profiles of the four microalgae confirmed their suitability for biodiesel production where it recorded biodiesel properties within the limits of international standards. Also, species selection through PROMETHEE and GAIA analysis revealed that C. braunii is the best promising as a potential source for biodiesel production because it has a high saturated fatty acids proportion (39.75%) and shows cetane number (54.99) and low iodine value (100.57) and many other biodiesel properties within the standards limit. In addition, the screened microalgae showed a high percentage of omega fractions in their total fatty acids. Asterarcys quadricellulare and M. minutum recorded high omega-3 fatty acids content of 34.4% and 28.9%, respectively.