Biofuel Prospects of Microalgal Community in Urban Wetlands

Ramachandra, TV and Alakananda, B and Supriya, G (2011) Biofuel Prospects of Microalgal Community in Urban Wetlands. In: International Journal of Environmental Protection, 1 (2). pp. 54-61.

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Abstract

Microalgae are emerging as one of the most promising sources of biofuel because of their high photosynthetic efficiency and faster replication as compared to any other energy crops. Although, the concept of using microalgal lipid as a source of fuel is very mature, its approach in benefiting both environmental and energy-related is a frontier research area today. Algal community for the production of lipid depends on the physical, chemical as well as biological variables of aquatic ecosystems. This communication focuses on achieving the lipid haracterization of the microalgal community collected from four wetlands and one agricultural field of Bangalore, Karnataka with a wide range of environmental characteristics. Results reveal significant change in lipid component with change in algal community and chlorophyll content which was explained by community structure analysis and chlorophyll estimation. The presence of Triacyl glycerol (TAG) was examined through thin layer chromatography (TLC). The profile of TAG was further confirmed through Gas chromatography – mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). This study confirms the potential of algal community towards meeting growing demand for alternate sustainable fuel.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Publication:	International Journal of Environmental Protection
Publisher:	World Academic Publishing
Additional Information:	Copyright to this article belongs to World Academic Publishing
Department/Centre:	Division of Biological Sciences > Centre for Ecological Sciences Division of Interdisciplinary Sciences > Center for Infrastructure, Sustainable Transportation and Urban Planning (CiSTUP) Division of Mechanical Sciences > Centre for Sustainable Technologies (formerly ASTRA)
Date Deposited:	09 Feb 2012 12:08
Last Modified:	09 Feb 2012 12:08
URI:	http://eprints.iisc.ac.in/id/eprint/43425

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