Biofuel production potentialityof indigenous algal species around Bayero University Kano, Nigeria.
The escalating global energy demand and the negative environmental and socioeconomic impacts of fossil fuels necessitate sustainable alternative energy sources. This issue is particularly important in developing nations like Nigeria, where energy access remains limited despite significant oil reserves, leading to environmental degradation. This study aimed to bio-prospect indigenous algal species around Bayero University Kano, Nigeria, evaluating their potential for producing biofuel. Samples were collected from ten locations using purposive and simple random sampling, accounting for seasonal variations. Microscopic examination identified four distinct algal taxa: Scenedesmus, Diatoms, Anabaena, and Rhizoclonium. These species were cultivated in conditioned tap water with agricultural fertilizers and a CO2 enrichment system. Biomass was harvested via flocculation-filtration with alum and shade-dried. Proximate analysis revealed high ash content (42.45–61.34%) across all species, with average lipid and carbohydrate contents of 0.68% and 8.26%, respectively. Individually, Scenedesmus (0.29% lipid, 8.98% carbohydrate), Diatoms (0.40% lipid, 7.05% carbohydrate), Anabaena (0.50% lipid, 10.27% carbohydrate), and Rhizoclonium (1.54% lipid, 6.74% carbohydrate). These findings suggest that the identified indigenous microalgae species from this region, under the tested conditions, may require significant optimization or genetic modification to become viable feedstocks for competitive biodiesel and bioethanol production.