Culture and biofuel production efficiency of marine microalgae Chlorella marina and Skeletonema costatum

In the present study, microalgae were cultured under indoor and outdoor systems with high density and biomass. Their chemical analysis showed high lipid (28.2 and 21.6% respectively) and fatty acid methylesters (FAME) content. Fatty acids such as palmitic acid (16:0), oleic acid (18:1) and linoleic acid (18:2) were reported to be high in C. marina and S. costatum. S. costatum is containing more eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). Marine diatom, S. costatum is efficiently converting the algal oil into biodiesel (87%) followed by C. marina which is produced the 70% of the biodiesel. Biodiesel yield of presently studied marine microalgae was being comparatively higher than that of existing oil crops. It is clearly implied that, marine microalgae C. marina and S. costatum were considered as a promising feedstock for biodiesel production in near future.