Microalgae of OBIO-AKPOR Community in Southern Nigeria as Potential Source for Biodiesel Production

The highlighting of the immense potentials of indigenous microalgae as a sustainable and advantageous source of biofuel and a more efficient utiliser of carbon dioxide is the thrust of this study. Soil and water samples were collected within Obio–Akpor community in Rivers State, Nigeria and taken to the Plant Science and Biotechnology Laboratory in University of Port Harcourt for identification. Prominent microalgae found were characterised and studied for their ability to accumulate lipids for biofuel production. Microalgae isolated include Chlamydomonas reinhardii, Scenedesmus obliquus, Chlorella vulgaris, Euglena gracilis and Prymnesium parvum. The results showed that biomass as dry matter and lipid content were 2.9, 3.32, 3.2, 1.81, 1.71 mg ml⁻¹ and 8.53, 17.35, 12.39, 4.51, 5.92% w/w for Chlamydomonas reinhardii, Scenedesmus obliquus, Chlorella vulgaris, Euglena gracilis and Prymnesium parvum respectively. Among all, Chlorella vulgaris seems to be the best candidate for high lipid productivity (2.8 mg ml⁻¹). The study revealed that Chlamydomonas reinhardii and Scenedesmus obliquus also have high lipid productivity levels of 2.64 and 2.74 mg ml⁻¹, respectively. Based on their high lipid contents, Chlorella vulgaris, Chlamydomonas reinhardii and Scenedesmus obliquus are considered suitable for use in biodiesel production.