Algae are very important as a biomass source. Algae will some
day be competitive as a source for biofuel. Different species of algae may be better suited for different
types of fuel. Algae can be grown almost anywhere, even on sewage or salt water, and does not require
fertile land or food crops, and processing requires less energy than the algae provides. Algae can be a
replacement for oil based fuels, one that is more effective and has no disadvantages. Algae are among
the fastest-growing plants in the world, and about 50% of their weight is oil. This lipid oil can be used
to make biodiesel for cars, trucks, and airplanes. Microalgae have much faster growth-rates than terrestrial
crops. the per unit area yield of oil from algae is estimated to be from 20,000 to 80,000 l per acre, per
year; this is 7–31 times greater than the next best crop, palm oil. The lipid and fatty acid contents of microalgae
vary in accordance with culture conditions. Most current research on oil extraction is focused on
microalgae to produce biodiesel from algal oil. Algal-oil processes into biodiesel as easily as oil derived
from land-based crops.