Prospects of biofuel production from microalgae in Kenya
Loading...
Date
2012
Authors
Khamis, F. K.
Abubakar, L. U.
Mutie, A. M.
Kenya, E.U.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
With the depletion of oil resources as well as the negative environmental impact associated with the use of fossil fuels, there is a renewed interest in seeking alternative energy sources. The present study was conducted to determine the microalgae biodiversity in Kenyan aquatic environment and their potential in bio-fuel production. Microalgae species were collected from 3 lakes in Kenya (Lake Turkana, Baringo and Magadi)and identified morphologically. The abundant species were cultured in BBM and BG-11 media to obtain pure clones and lipids (oil) extracted by the Bligh and Dyer method. The results showed that the blue-greenalgae (Cyanophytes) were widespread and dominated the algal community in all the 3 lakes. However, Lake Turkana exhibited the highest species biodiversity, followed by Lake Magadi, while Lake Baringo had the least. Screening for lipid/oil content identified high oil yielding algae species abundantly distributed naturally in the Kenyan aquatic environment. The peak lipid content ranged from 1.5 – 10.5% of algal biomass. Chlorellaspecies showed the highest yields (10.5%), followed by Euglenaacus (5.78), Nitzschia (3.68%), Ankistrodesmus falcatus(1.58%) and Scenedesmus acuminatus(1.575%). The lipid profiles revealed high concentrations of oleic acid which is a main constituent of biodiesel production. DNA barcode for the species with highest lipid content was developed using cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI). Phylogenetic analyses by MEGA 4 indicated that Nitzschiaspp and Chlorellaspp are different evolutionally, Scenedesmusspp and Chlorella spp both being of the same phyla show great similarity with a 71% score compared to the Nitzschiaspp which is a diatom. These species can therefore be potential candidates for biofuel production.
Description
Keywords
Microalgae, biofuel, lake Baringo, lake Turkana, lake Magadi
Citation
13th KARI Biennial Scientific Conference