Abstract: Total six microalgae species, including 3 strains of green algae, 2 strains of diatoms and 1 strain of Isochrysis galbana, were chosen for this study. Differences of heterotrophic capability, growth and lipid production yield from various cultivation methods to these microalgae strains were compared. The results show that, except Nitzschia closterium, the other five strains could be cultured in hererotrophy. But the influences of external carbon source on growth of these algae strains are different. Aiming at oil yield, one strain of Chlorella sp. and one strain of Scenedesmus obliquus were screened out. Their oil production yields in mixotrophy cultivation conditions were of 102.48 and 129.13 mg/(L.d), respectively, six and eight times higher than those in autotrophy conditions, which can be used as an new resource for biodiesel producing, meanwhile, further probablecultivation condition optimization are required.

Key words: microalgae, oil production yield, cultivation method