Biodiesel production from microalgae: A comprehensive review on influential factors, transesterification processes, and challenges

The impending depletion of fossil fuels has sparked a global hunt for non-conventional energy sources such as biofuels. Biofuels such as biodiesel can be produced using third-generation feedstock viz., microalgae. It has gained huge attention as it has the potential to achieve the goals of sustainable development. Biodiesel production using microalgae depends upon the microalgal biomass availability and the amount of neutral lipid accumulated inside them. Biomass productivity and lipid accumulation vary from species to species but in general, are influenced by cultivation conditions (mode and method of cultivation) and growth parameters such as nutrients and environmental factors (light, temperature, pH,…