The activities of several Lewis acid catalysts such SnCl2, FeCl3, ZnCl2, AlCl3, and NbCl5 for the in situ transesterification/esterification of lipid contained within a microalga (Chlorella pyrenoidosa) in ethanol at 350 degrees C were examined to identify the most suitable catalyst in term of crude biodiesel (CBD) yield. Of those catalysts tested, ZnCl2 showed the highest performance toward the CBD production. Using ZnCl2 as catalyst, effects of reaction temperature (200-370 degrees C), time (0-120 min), ethanol to microalga ratio (EtOH: MA) (5/5-40/5), catalyst loading (0-30 wt.%), and algae moisture (0-80 wt.%) on the yields of product fractions and the properties of CBD were studied. The presence of ZnCl2 not only promoted the production of CBD but also showed activities toward the deoxygenation and denitrogenation of CBD. The moisture content in the starting material is the most influential factor affecting the yield and properties of CBD. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.