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ABSTRACT
Microalgae cells are known to remove heavy metals from wastewater through the action of bioaccumulationand also accumulate lipid through the action of lipid peroxidation. The aim of this study was to determine the increase efficiency of biodiesel production by microalgae during lead and chromium removal from wastewater. Chlorella vulgariswas grown in wastewater containing lead and chromium to ascertain its efficiency to enhance the lipid for biodiesel production under stress. The microalgae under lead and chromium stress had an increase in hydrogen peroxide (42.153mg/g) and (5.485 mg/g) respectively and in malondialdehyde (4.522mg/g) and (5.123 mg/g) respectively causing an increased lipid accumulation which is the lipid content (0.886 %) and (1.746 %) respectively. The enhancement of lipid with lead and chromium led to an increase efficiency of biodiesel (4.3 ml) and (16.5 ml) respectively. Further, biodiesel properties analysis was carried out to ascertain the effect of lead and chromium on the enhanced biodiesel, of which iodine value (20.20gI²/100g) and (10.60 gI²/100g) respectively and density (0.90 g/cm³) and (0.88 g/cm³) respectively were within the EN 14214 diesel specifications. The enhancement of biodiesel does not affect the properties of the biodiesel produced. Chromium stressed Chlorella vulgarisyielded more biodiesel as compared to lead stressed Chlorella vulgaris. The bioaccumulation of heavy metal by Chlorella vulgaris will promote the enhancement of biodiesel thus, promoting environmental sustainability.
