Sources:
| Species | Total Lipid Content (% dw) | Fatty Acid Profile Suitability | Biodiesel Properties | Cultivation Conditions | Environmental Adaptability | Potential for Non-destructive Harvesting | Additional Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nannochloropsis oculata | 41.0% [2] | High content of C16:0, C16:1, and C18:1; EPA (C20:5) present [2] | Highest ranking in PROMETHEE analysis; CN: 55.0-57.9; IV: 81; meets both EN14214 and ASTM D6751-02 standards (except double bond limit) [2] | Marine species; can be cultivated in open ponds and closed systems [1] | Excellent; proven ability for industrial-scale cultivation in tropical/subtropical climates [2] | Moderate potential for "milking" techniques due to robust cell wall [1] | Well-established year-round productivity of 20 g/m²/day in economical raceway systems [2]; stationary phase harvesting improves oil quality [2] |
| Chlorella vulgaris | 28.1% [2] | High SFA (52.2%) and MUFA (37.5%) content; low PUFA (10.3%) [2] | CN: 63.8-63.3; IV: 50; highly ranked in PROMETHEE analysis [2] | Freshwater; versatile growing conditions; responds well to mixotrophic growth [1] | High adaptability to various conditions, including wastewater [1,3] | Low potential due to thick cell wall [3] | Difficult to extract oil due to rigid cell wall [2]; responds well to nitrogen stress for increased lipid accumulation [1] |
| Extubocellulus sp. | 27.0% [2] | High MUFA content (63.8%), low PUFA (2.7%) [2] | Ranked highest when PUFA weighting applied; CN: 57.8-60.9; IV: 65; excellent CFPP (-7.0°C) [2] | Marine diatom; silica requirements [1,2] | Good; prefers moderate temperatures [2] | Moderate potential; diatom frustule may facilitate extraction [1] | Production parameters at scale not well established compared to other species [2] |
| Biddulphia sp. | 24.9% [2] | Balanced SFA (48.8%) and MUFA (35.4%) profile [2] | CN: 52.5-54.6; IV: 88; good CFPP (-7.9°C) [2] | Marine diatom; requires silica [2] | Good adaptation to varied conditions [2] | Not specifically reported | Ranked 4th in equal parameter weighted analysis [2] |
| Botryococcus braunii | 45.5-75% [1,2] | Lower SFA (9.9%), very high MUFA (79.6%) [2] | CN: 55.1-58.7; IV: 90; excellent CFPP (-11.7°C) [2] | Freshwater; slower growth rate [1,2] | Moderate; sensitive to culture conditions [1] | High potential for hydrocarbon "milking" without cell destruction [1] | Can achieve extremely high lipid content (up to 75%) under stress conditions; produces hydrocarbons rather than typical lipids [1] |
| Phaeodactylum tricornutum | 21.7% [2] | High MUFA content (54.1%), moderate PUFA (17.8%) and SFA (28.1%) [2] | CN: 47.3-50.3; IV: 114; meets ASTM D6751-02 standard [2] | Marine diatom; adaptable to various salinities [2] | Good; robust growth across varied conditions [1,2] | Not specifically reported | Lipid productivity significantly affected by growth phase and nutrient limitation [2] |
| Picochlorum sp. | 30.5% [2] | Very high PUFA content (59.2%), low SFA (23.7%) [2] | CN: 44.0-48.9; IV: 135; drops in ranking when PUFA weighted [2] | Euryhaline; adaptable to various salinities [1,2] | Excellent; tolerates wide salinity range [1] | Not specifically reported | High fatty acid content (274.8 mg/g dw) [2]; unusual high lipid content for a chlorophyte [2] |
| Scenedesmus species | Varies by species; generally 15-25% [1,3] | Variable; can have high PUFA content [3] | Species-dependent; S. obliquus ranks well in PROMETHEE analysis with PUFA weighting [2] | Freshwater; robust growth in various conditions including wastewater [1,3] | High; tolerant to various cultivation conditions [3] | Limited potential due to cell wall structure [1] | Good candidate for wastewater remediation combined with biofuel production [3] |