Identification of Monoraphidium contortum as a promising species for liquid biofuel production

► Thirty microalgal strains were analysed for growth, total lipids and fatty acid profiles. ► Bio-methane production was investigated for strains with high biomass productivity. ► Monoraphidium contortum was identified as promising candidate for biofuel production. ► Nitrogen starved M. contortum accumulates neutral lipids with favourable fatty acids.