Evaluation of fatty acid profile and biodiesel properties of microalga Scenedesmus abundans under the influence of phosphorus, pH and light intensities

• Phosphate, pH and light intensities have marked effect on the FA profile of alga.
• 60 mg/L phosphate has favoured high biomass and lipid concentration.
• Illumination of 6000 lux was suitable for biomass and lipid production.
• Biomass increased at pH 8, whereas pH 6 favoured lipid content.
• Favourable phosphate, pH and light conditions resulted in good fuel properties.

The present study dealt with biomass, lipid concentration, fatty acid profile and biodiesel properties of microalga Scenedesmus abundans under different phosphate concentrations, pH and light intensities, one at a time. Among different phosphate concentrations, higher biomass (770.10 ± 11.0 mg/L) and lipid concentration (176.87 ± 4.6 mg/L) were at the concentration of 60 mg/L. Light intensity at 6000 lux yielded higher biomass and lipid concentration of 742.0 ± 9.7 and 243.15 ± 9.1 mg/L, respectively. The biomass (769.0 ± 12.3 mg/L) and lipid (179.47 ± 5.5 mg/L) concentration were highest at pH 8 and pH 6, respectively. All the culture treatments showed marked effect on the fatty acid profile and biodiesel properties of the extracted oil. FAME derived biodiesel properties were compared with European biodiesel standards (EN 14214), Indian biodiesel standards (IS 15607) and American biodiesel standards (ASTM D 6751-08) to assess the suitability of algal oil as biodiesel feedstock.