DNA barcode and lipid analysis of new marine algae potential for biofuel

The marine based algal biofuel may be the best possible options for future energy, particularly for India where freshwater and land resources are limited. We have characterized a novel marine microalga, isolated from an Indian Ocean using genotypic and biochemical studies, which contain high lipids (48%) on dry wt. basis, among marine-microalgae reported from the Indian subcontinent. The classification of new species based on DNA barcodes studies using 16S rRNA and 23S rRNA has indicated its genetic similarity to green algae Parachlorella kessleri. Subsequently, FAME analysis has showed that it contain about 43%, saturated fatty acids, which makes new algal species highly suitable for further exploration and commercial production of the biodiesel. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.