Abstract:
Algae are heterogeneous group of organism which live in damp habitats on land.
In the present study, selected algal species are being screened for their suitability for biodiesel production. Three species, Scenedemus sp., Spirogyra sp., and Spirulina sp. have
positively been identified to the genus level and are being analyzed. pH range of 8.3 –
8.7 has been found to be necessary for the growth of Scenedemus sp, a medium with
macro-nutrients and micro-nutrients has been developed for the growing of Scenedemus
sp. .Also, the growing surface area need to be determined very carefully since it seems
to be quite important in the growing of Scenedemus sp. Spirogyra was found to contain
2.18 ± 0.36 % fat, 20.83± 0.00% crude protein, 39.84 ± 0.84 % total carbohydrates, 6.30
± 0.50 % fibre, 20.19 ± 0.62 % ash and 10.66 ± 0.41% moisture. The fat content was
analyzed and found to contain octanoic acid, tetradecanoic acid, hexadec-9-enoic acid,
octadecanoic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid and linolenic acid. From the amount of oil
content it can be concluded that the spirogyra can not be economic for bio-diesel
production in its present form.