Development of an eco-friendly technology for biodiesel production by Spirulina sp. isolated from pond water

Biodiesel made from renewable energy sources is gaining popularity due to its environmental and economic benefits. In this work, the effect of the most important reaction variables was investigated during the acid-catalyzed of Spirulina sp. microalgae oil to biodiesel. Results showed that the biodiesel was obtained at 60 degrees C for 8 h using 30 g of dry Spirulina sp. powder in 300 mL of n-hexane. Physical characteristics of the biodiesel produced from Spirulina sp. were confirmed using, evaporation temperature, flash point, freeze point, and fire point. The presence of bonds of CH3, ROH, RC equivalent to C-H, -CH = CH-CH2)(n), R-CH2-X, and ArOH in the biodiesel H-1 NMR spectrum. Further, the biodiesel produced from the Spirulina sp. subjected to FT-IR and GC MS which revealed the aliphatic hydrocarbons and the list of compounds such as Oleic acid, 9-octadecenal etc.