This means that algal culture in a volume of 545 m3 (about 20%
of the volume of an olympic-size swimming pool) is capable of
generating biomass feedstock for producing one barrel algal oil/d.
Algal oils for biofuel should contain free FAs and TAGs. Our previous
analysis of free FA in Thalassiosira sp. oils using GC–MS
showed values of 41.7% palmitic acid, 9.8% stearic acid, and
47.4% oleic acid (Nurachman et al., 2010). Further TAG analysis
of Thalassiosira sp. oil was carried out by electron spray ionization
ion trap mass spectrometry (ESI-IT-MS). The oils were analyzed in
positive ion mode to either [M + Ag]+ or [M + AgNO3 + Ag]+ adduct
ions in a mass range of 200–1400 Da. Saturated fatty acids and fats
containing all-saturated fatty acid chains could not be identified by
this method because they were not able to form ion complexes
with Ag+ (Sandra et al., 2002).