Microalgae: An Exquisite Oil Producer

Abstract

With the influx in population and shortage of conventional energy-sources, an exponential-rise of the microalgal oil-production has been observed in the past two decades. The algal bio-oil is used in various industries viz. food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic and biodiesel plants. The present study is focused towards the production of oil from oleaginous microalgae in photo-bioreactors and open water systems. Moreover, microalgae can thrive in non-cultivable waters like seawater, salt water and even wastewater which make the algal technology more attractive in terms of soil and water preservation. Using sunlight and nutrients like salts of magnesium, potassium, sodium etc. the autotrophic microalgae can grow in large quantities in indoor photo-bioreactors and in open ponds. Microalgae are able to produce approximately 10,000 gallons of oil per acre as compared to the higher plants that produces only 50 gallons per acre (soy), 110 to 145 gallons per acre (rapeseed), 175 gallons per acre (Jatropha), 650 gallons per acre (palm). The biomass productivity is 10 times higher than that of the phytoplanktons and 20–30% higher than that of the terrestrial biomass. In terms of the fatty acid composition, the microalgal oil can well match with the plant-derived oil, mainly C16 and C18 fatty acids. Some microalgae are also rich in valuable polyunsaturated-fatty-acids, which have multiple health benefits.