Microalgae Synthesis for Biodiesel Production

The biodiesel industry is in need of alternative solutions to fossil fuels, and biodiesel from microalgae is gaining popularity. However, current commercial homogeneous catalysts present significant challenges in terms of separation difficulties and severe corrosion, which can drive up production and maintenance costs. This article thoroughly reviews literature on the use of biomass for biodiesel production, with a focus on microalgae that has a high growth rate and does not require cropland. While previous studies have concentrated on extraction and harvesting techniques, lipid extraction methods remain energy-intensive and expensive, which hinders commercialization. Direct biodiesel synthesis, on the other hand, is a promising solution for efficiently producing biodiesel by introducing a single process by combining lipid extraction and transesterification. The potential of using microalgae biomass for direct biodiesel synthesis is an exciting prospect for the future. This analysis delves into various species commonly used as feedstock, optimal cultivation environments for biomass growth and lipid yield improvement, harvesting and lipid extraction processes, as well as key challenges and forthcoming prospects of microalgal biodiesel production. With these comprehensive findings, we can anticipate future research benefiting from a deeper understanding of modifying microalgae biomass for direct biodiesel synthesis and improving the profitability of microalgal biodiesel.