Thermo-resistant green microalgae for effective biodiesel production: Isolation and characterization of unialgal species from geothermal flora of Central Anatolia

•Thermo-resistant microalgae isolated from geothermal flora of Central Anatolia.•Strains identified as Scenedesmus sp., Hindakia tetrachotoma and Micractinium sp.•All three isolates are adaptable to growth at a wide temperature range (25–50°C).•Superior properties of Micractinium sp. ME05 for biodiesel production.•Suitable FAME profile of Micractinium sp. ME05 &Scenedesmus sp. ME03 for biodiesel. Oil content and composition, biomass productivity and adaptability to different growth conditions are important parameters in selecting a suitable microalgal strain for biodiesel production. Here, we describe isolation and characterization of three green microalgal species from geothermal flora of Central Anatolia. All three isolates, namely, Scenedesmus sp. METUNERGY1402 (Scenedesmus sp. ME02), Hindakia tetrachotoma METUNERGY1403 (H. tetrachotoma ME03) and Micractinium sp. METUNERGY1405 (Micractinium sp. ME05) are adaptable to growth at a wide temperature range (25–50°C). Micractinium sp. ME05, particularly has superior properties for biodiesel production. Biomass productivity, lipid content and lipid productivity of this isolate are 0.17gL−1d−1, 22.7% and 0.04gL−1d−1, respectively. In addition, Micractinium sp. ME05 and Scenedesmus sp. ME03 mainly contain desirable fatty acid methyl esters (i.e. 16:0, 16:1, 18:0 and 18:1) for biodiesel production. All isolates can further be improved via genetic and metabolic engineering strategies.