The Strategies for the Production of Biodiesel through Eco-Friendly Microalgal Systems

The fast depleting energy sources and other environmental concerns, like carbon emissions, have led the scientific community on a race against time to find an ecofriendly, sustainable and renewable source of energy. Biofuels obtained from domestic used materials cannot practically satisfy the existing demand for an industrial fuel. Biodiesel is mono-alkyl esters of vegetable oils or animal fats. The major advantage of biodiesel is that it can be used directly into existing engines without any modifications. One of the potential sources for renewable biodiesel production which can effectively supply biodiesel for international and industrial demand is microalgae. Besides production of biofuels microalgae have been seen as a potential source for a number of areas including pharmaceuticals, nutrition and aquaculture. This review discusses on the different aspects, challenges and current scenario in the biodiesel production from microalgae. Cultivation of a high yielding marine microalgal strain in a very economical and well scrutinised open raceway pond could prove to be the key to future of energy sector. Various lipid enhancement methods and proposed culture methods are also discussed. On an industrial perspective, a well-engineered and continuously monitored open raceway pond for cultivation of marine micro algae seems to be a promising economically viable method for production of biofuel.