Hanumanthappa B. and Basavarajappa S.H.
Abstract
The basic sources of energy are petroleum, natural gas and coal. Biodiesel is a nontoxic and biodegradable alternative fuel that is obtained by the transesterification of triglyceride oil with monohydric alcohols. The need of energy is increasing continuously, because of increases in industrialization and population. In this investigation algal oil was used as a raw material for biodiesel production. The decreasing fossil fuel resources cause both insufficiency in providing demand and increase in prices and it triggers the structural change in energy production and resources. In this context, the innovations in encouraging the use of renewable energy sources will make it possible to manage the passage from an unsustainable structure to a more sustainable structure. The necessary conditions for the world oil supply can be said to enter into a new era with the increasing demand pressure. In the present investigation, naturally occurring algal sample of Chlorophyceae member was collected from waterlogged area near Shettykoppa, N R Pura (Tq), Chikkamagaluru (Dist.). The collected algal samples was identified as Ulothrix spp, and inoculated into the selective media, which favor the growth of algae, and the lipid was extracted from dried algal samples by ground method by using hexane as solvent. The extracted oil was converted into biofuel by transesterification process and estimates the FAME by using LCMS. The result indicates that the biofuel can be produced from Ulothrix spp.