In the process of modernization and development, a human being always needed energy, which increased the dependency on the available sources of fossil fuel. Tetraselmis, a green algal genus belong to the order Chlorodendrales, are described by their strong green coloured chloroplast, flagellated cell bodies, and the occurrence of a pyrenoid within the chloroplast. In this study, four different strains of Tetraselmis species were successfully isolated from the saltpans Kovelong, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. The isolated strains were cultured in the normal basal medium and their morphological features were subsequently studied. The species of Tetraselmis straiata (T. straiata) Butcher BBRR1 was confirmed using molecular identification of 18S rRNA gene analysis and its observed systematic position. Among the four different isolates, T. straiata Butcher BBRR1 recorded a highest biomass concentration of 0.58 ± 0.021 g L^-1, 15% lipids, 19% proteins and 17% carbohydrates when it grown under laboratory condition. Whereas, in open raceway ponds, T. straiata BBRR1 produced 0.95 ± 0.06 g L^-1 biomass, 19% lipids, 28% proteins and 21% carbohydrates in an modified CFTRI I medium. The fatty acids profile of T. straiata Butcher BBRR1showed the presence of 33.14 % Palmitic acid, 22.64% 11- Octadecenoic acid and 21.94% Heptadecanoic acid. Since T. straiata BBRR1 can be cultivated in open ponds without a major contaminations, this species can be used as novel biomass feedstock to produce biofuels. This study may suggest the potential of T. straiata BBRR1 for biofuel production and could compete the energy demand in the future. In addition, this species contains healthful components of carotenoids, lipids and proteins, all these may provide a health benefits beyond basic nutrition.

After a 1.5 year screening survey in the lagoons of Western Greece in order to isolate and culture sturdy species of microalgae for aquaculture or other value added uses, as dictated primarily by a satisfactory potential for their mass-culture, five species emerged and their growth was monitored in laboratory conditions. Amphidinium carterae, Nephroselmis sp., Tetraselmis sp. (var. red pappas), Asteromonas gracilis and Dunaliella sp. were batch cultured using low (20 ppt), sea (40 ppt) and high salinity (50 or 60 or 100 ppt) and in combination with a low (2000 lux) and high (8000 lux) intensity of illumination. The results exhibited that all these species can be grown adequately in all salinities and with best growth in terms of maximum cell density, specific growth rate (SGR) and biomass yield (g dry weight/L) at high illumination (8000 lux). The five species examined exhibited different responses in the salinities used, Amphidinium clearly does best in 20 ppt far better than 40 ppt and even more than 50 ppt. Nephroselmis and Tetraselmis grow almost the same in 20 and 40 ppt and less well in 60 ppt. Asteromonas does best in 100 ppt although it can grow quite well in both 40 and 60 ppt. Dunaliella grows equally well in all salinities (20-40-60 ppt). Concerning productivity as maximum biomass yield at the end of the culture period, first rank is occupied by Nephroselmis with ~3.0 g d.w./L, followed by Tetraselmis (2.0 g/L), Dunaliella (1.58 g/L), Amphidinium (1.19 g/L) and Asteromonas (0.7 g/L) with all values recorded at high light (8000 lux).