Exploration of Microalgae as a Sustainable Source of Biofuels
Keywords:
lipid accumulation, NMR, GC‑MS, FTIR, SEM, biodiesel, Chlorella vulgaris, microalgaeAbstract
Microalgae-derived biodiesel represents a promising renewable alternative to fossil fuels, yet efficient lipid extraction and high-quality fuel production remains a critical challenge. In this study, biodiesel production from Chlorella vulgaris was investigated through optimized cultivation, lipid extraction and base-catalysed transesterification. Cultivation under nitrogen limitation yielded substantial biomass (1.2 ± 0.2 g/L) with high lipid content (33.8 ± 2.4% dry weight). Subsequent extraction and transesterification processes resulted in efficient conversion of algal lipids into fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs), with a biodiesel yield of approximately 89.5 ± 3.2%. Comprehensive characterization utilizing scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H and ¹³C NMR) confirmed structural integrity, chemical purity, and fuel quality of the produced biodiesel. SEM analysis demonstrated effective disruption of algal cells post-extraction, while FTIR and NMR spectra confirmed complete conversion of triglycerides to methyl esters. GC–MS revealed an ideal fatty acid profile dominated by palmitic (C16:0), oleic (C18:1), linoleic (C18:2), and linolenic (C18:3) methyl esters. Fuel properties, including density, viscosity, cetane number, and acid value, met ASTM D6751 biodiesel standards. Despite promising laboratory-scale outcomes, scalability remains economically challenging, highlighting the necessity of integrated wastewater cultivation and advanced extraction techniques. This study underscores the potential of C. vulgaris biodiesel as a sustainable biofuel alternative, providing a solid analytical foundation for future scale-up research.
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