The types of microalgae strains and the method used in lipid extraction have become crucial factors
which influence the productivity of crude oil. In this paper, Nannochloropsis sp. and Tetraselmis sp. were
chosen as the strains and four different methods were used to extract the lipids: Hara and Radin, Folch,
Chen and Bligh and Dyer. These methods were performed by using conventional heating and microwave
irradiation methods. Results revealed that highest lipid yield from the different species was obtained
using different extraction methods; both under microwave irradiation. The lipid yield for Tetraselmis
sp. and Nannochloropsis sp. was highest when Hara and Radin (8.19%), and Folch (8.47%) methods were
used respectively under microwave irradiation. The lipids extracted were then transesterified to biodiesel
and the quality of the biodiesel was analyzed using the gas chromatography