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Lipid productivity as a key characteristic for choosing algal species for biodiesel production

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Abstract

Microalgae are a promising alternative source of lipid for biodiesel production. One of the most important decisions is the choice of species to use. High lipid productivity is a key desirable characteristic of a species for biodiesel production. This paper reviews information available in the literature on microalgal growth rates, lipid content and lipid productivities for 55 species of microalgae, including 17 Chlorophyta, 11 Bacillariophyta and five Cyanobacteria as well as other taxa. The data available in the literature are far from complete and rigorous comparison across experiments carried out under different conditions is not possible. However, the collated information provides a framework for decision-making and a starting point for further investigation of species selection. Shortcomings in the current dataset are highlighted. The importance of lipid productivity as a selection parameter over lipid content and growth rate individually is demonstrated.

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Acknowledgements

This work is based upon research supported by the South African Research Chair Initiative of the Department of Science and Technology and the National Research Foundation. The financial assistance of the National Research Foundation (NRF) towards this research is hereby acknowledged. Opinions expressed and conclusions arrived at are those of the authors and are not necessarily to be attributed to the NRF.

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  1. Centre for Bioprocess Engineering Research, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, 7701, Cape Town, South Africa

    Melinda J. Griffiths & Susan T. L. Harrison

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  1. Melinda J. Griffiths
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Correspondence to Susan T. L. Harrison.

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Griffiths, M.J., Harrison, S.T.L. Lipid productivity as a key characteristic for choosing algal species for biodiesel production. J Appl Phycol 21, 493–507 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-008-9392-7

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