ALGAE AS NOVEL RENEWABLE SOURCE OF ENERGY: PRODUCTION OF BIODIESEL FROM ALGAE AS RENEWABLE SOURCE OF ENERGY

The basic source of energy is petroleum, natural gas, coal, hydro and nuclear. The disadvantages of this petroleum fuel are environmental pollution. Combustion of this fuel creates increase in level of CO2. Biodiesel (monoalkyl esters) obtained by the transesterification of triglyceride oil with monohydric alcohols. Biodiesel can be obtained from Canola, Soya been, Palm, sunflower, Oil and Algal oil, Coconut oil, fish oil, Chicken fat. Biodiesel has no side effects on environment hence it is safe to use. Among others biomass, Algal oil has higher capacity to produce biodiesel. Both micro and macro algae are used. From the pond water we were isolated and identified as Spirogyra was used as source for biodiesel production. The extraction of algal oil from biomass was done by two chemical methods, one of these was transesterification of algal oil with methanol and NaOH as base catalyst was used. In another method extraction of oil using soxhlet apparatus with hexane as solvent, by these two methods extractions of biodiesel from algal biomass was successfully done.