Investigation of Chlorella vulgaris microalgae as a source for renewable fuel
Abstract
Microalgae are a promising alternative source for biodiesel production due to the potential high oil content in its cells and fast generation to yield a higher biomass. The focus of this study was to provide a feasibility study on the potential of a local isolated Chlorella vulgaris strain for biodiesel production comprising of cell growth, biomass productivity and drying at various temperatures. The results showed that C. vulgaris which was cultured in pH 7 medium, under the light intensity of 2000 lux and 14/10 h photoperiod cycle, produced the highest number of cells and biomass. pH, light intensity and photoperiod had an individual influence on the cell growth. Drying at 60°C was identified to be ideal since the lipid content decreased marginally while the lipid composition was retained, i.e. 36.45% of saturated and 60.05% of unsaturated fatty acid. The biodiesel synthesized in this study contained 16 to 18 carbon atoms (palmitic, stearic, oleic, palmitoleic, linoleic and linolenic acid) which were suitable elements in producing biodiesel. Furthermore, the biodiesel produced complied with the ASTM standards which establish this C. vulgaris strain as a potential source for biodiesel production.
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The metabolic activity of microalgae belonging to the genus Chlorella is significantly inhibited when the pH falls below 5 or rises above 9.
“While certain eurybiontic strains tolerate a broader pH range, studies have shown that the metabolic activity of microalgae belonging to the genus Chlorella is significantly inhibited when the pH falls below 5 or rises above 9 [130].”
From Multi-Sensing Monitoring of the Microalgae Biomass Cultivation Systems for Biofuels and Added Value Products Synthesis—Challenges and Opportunities (2025) · cites this paper as [130]
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- Authors
- Rajanren, J. R., & Ismail, H. M.
- Affiliations
- Taylor's University (MY)
- Monash University Malaysia (MY)
- Corresponding author
- Rajanren, Jeevan Raj
- Venue
- Biofuels
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2016-07-11
- Volume
- 8
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 37-47
- ISSN
- 1759-7269 (ISSN-L)
- 1759-7277
- OpenAlex
- W2464121045
- Cited by
- 10
- References
- 69
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 3 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 1
- FWCI
- 0.09
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Biofuels (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Energy › Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment › Algal biology and biofuel production
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Biomedical Engineering › Biodiesel Production and Applications
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Biochemistry › Lipid metabolism and biosynthesis
- Keywords
- Chlorella vulgaris, microalgae, biodiesel, microalgal lipid content, cell growth, biomass productivity, drying temperature, fatty acid composition, saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, photoperiod, light intensity, culture medium pH, ASTM biodiesel standards, renewable fuels
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