Lipid Accumulation and Biodiesel Production from Filamentous Cyanobacteria Native to Pakistan

Depleting fossil fuel resources and increasing energy demand have intensified the emphasis on biofuel production cyanobacteria. In this study, 19 cyanobacterial filamentous strains were isolated from various regions of Pakistan, including the northern areas and the University of the Punjab, Lahore. Sudan black, Nile red, and BODIPY staining, together with CLSM, fluorimetry, FTIR, growth in different nitrate concentrations, and GC techniques, were used to confirm and measure the lipid and diesel contents within isolated cyanobacterial filaments. Oscillatoria sp. strain CFF-6 showed a significantly higher yield (biodiesel/ biomass=35.6%). Leptolyngbya sp. strain CFF-18 showed a higher yield (biodiesel/biomass=17.1%) compared to other Leptolyngbya strains. FAME (Fatty Acid Methyl Ester) analysis was also performed. Oscillatoria are better biodiesel producers in comparison to other filamentous strains.