Evaluation of microalgal strains and microalgal consortium for higher lipid productivity and rich fatty acid profile towards sustainable biodiesel production

This present study has attempted to screen four microalgal strains Chlorella vulgaris, Coelastrella sp. Scenedesmus dimorphus and Chlorococcum sp. and consortium for biodiesel application. Coelastrella sp. was found to show marginally higher optical density of 1.13 on 19th day whereas C. vulgaris and S. dimorphus consortium showed 1.59 OD. Regarding the dry cell weight, S. dimorphus and Chlorella vulgaris was found to yield higher DCW at about 0.544 and 0.508 g/L, respectively. In outdoor pond raceway pond, C. vulgaris and S. dimorphus yielded 0.76-0.80 g/L while consortium showed 0.87 g/L biomass. In the case of lipid content, S. dimorphus, C. vulgaris and consortium accumulated 36.4, 35.5 and 39.2% lipids, respectively in lab, whereas in outdoor raceway pond it was 26.4, 32.3 and 34.5%, respectively. The fatty profile of Chlorella and Scenedesmus sp. showed linolelaidic acid, and cis-8,11,14-eicosatrienoic acid as prevalent fatty acids whereas the consortium has 53.5% oleic acid than other fatty acids.

Automated summary

The study screened four microalgal strains and a consortium for biodiesel application, with Coelastrella sp. showing higher optical density and Chlorella vulgaris and Scenedesmus dimorphus consortium yielding higher dry cell weight. In outdoor pond raceway pond, different strains showed varying biomass yield and lipid content, indicating potential for biodiesel production.