TRIACYLGLYCEROL PROFILE OF A MICROALGA CHLOROCOCCUM SP. AS A POTENTIAL BIOFUEL FEEDSTOCK.

Chlorococcum sp. has been studied as its possibility for biofuel feedstock. This alga was grown in Zarrouk media. After harvesting, lipid extraction was done by pure n-hexane and mixture of chloroform: methanol (2 : 1)) and hexane: ethanol (3 : 1). Highest oil recovery (21.20%) derived from chloroform: methanol (2 : 1) solvent system from dry biomass whereas the lowest (2.83%) came from n-hexane: ethanol solvent system from wet biomass. GC/MS used for the analysis of extracted lipid revealed that, palmitic acid methyl ester (C17H34O2), 9-octadecenoic acid methyl ester (C19H36O2) were major contents of this biofuel. The acquired fatty acid profile indicates that Chlorococcum sp. could be used as promising biofuel feedstock in near future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]