A dataset representing the impact of cyanide on the fatty acid profile of Scenedesmus obliquus

The data presented represents the biodetoxification of free cyanide (CN(−)) by Scenedesmus obliquusand the subsequent fatty acid profile of the tested algal specie. This algal organism can use cyanide as a source of carbon and/or nitrogen for its growth. The organism was able to degrade 100 and 150 mg CN(−)/L to 3.7 and 12.4 mg CN(−)/L respectively, after 192 h. The main fatty acids which were detected were fatty acids with C(16)—C(18) and were observed to be 97.7% and 99.55% from cultures with 100 and 150 mg CN(−)/L respectively. High CN(−) concentrations proved to be favourable for the accumulation of polyunsaturated fatty acids (≥75%), thus demonstrating the biofuel production capacity of microalgal species in bioremediation of hazardous substances.