Biodiesel production from Zygnema carinthiacum by direct transesterification

Abstract

Biodiesel production from Zygnema carinthiacum green alga which was studied identified phenotypically and genetically using PCR reaction by the Ribulose Bisphosphate Carboxylase Large subunit gene (rbcL). The production was investigated by conventional method involving directly producing from the whole biomass without extraction by one-step process. The biodiesel properties, including density, kinematic viscosity, cloud point, pour point, and acid value were determined , and their values are 0.867g /cm³, 5.22 mm² / s, 3 °C, -5 °C, 0. 34 mg KOH / g., respectively. The results also showed that a yield of biodiesel about 79 % was obtained using direct transesterification. By combining lipid extraction with direct transesterification, it is possible to produce biodiesel with fewer stages than would otherwise be necessary, eliminating the requirement for isolated and filtered algal oil.