Biodiesel has received much attention in recent years. Due to significant lipid and carbohydrate production and the ability to grow using nonpotable water sources, microalgae are being scrutinized as a potential high-yield feedstock for biofuel production. For biodiesel production, selection of suitable strain of microalgae depends on various factors, such as lipid productivity, percentage of lipids, biomass productivity, CO2 tolerance, and nutrient requirements. In both natural and engineered systems, microalgae can be exposed to a variety of environmental conditions that have an effect on cellular composition and growth rate. Furthermore, the amount of carbon fixed in lipids and carbohydrates is highly influenced by nutrient availability and environmental factors. This article reviews the potential of microalgae for lipid production and effects of environmental factors (e.g., light, temperature, and pH) and nutrient availability (e.g., nitrogen, carbon, phosphorus, and trace metals).
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