Physico-Chemical Characterization of Algal oil: a Potential Biofuel

A total of six naturally occurring algal biomass bulk samples were collected from different localities of north India. Algae were identified one blue-green alga Tolypothryx and rest five were green algae Pithophora, Spirogyra, Hydrodictyon, Rhizoclonium and Cladophora. Oil was extracted from the dried algal samples and fatty acid analysis was done. Physicochemical properties of algal oils such as density, viscosity, lipid content, pH and non-saponifiable fats were estimated. Gas chromatographic analysis revealed higher percentage of methyl palmitate, methyl stearate, methyloleate and methyl linoleate. The physico-chemical properties of algal oil meet all the properties given by American society for testing and materials (ASTM) D6751, ISO 15607and EN14214- Europe. It is concluded that the algal oil can be used as a potential biofuel. Algae, biofuel, fatty acid, transesterification, gas chromatography.