Five axenic cultures of microalgae were isolated from the wastewater of Almaty city and identified as Chlorella vulgaris strain No1, Chlorella sp. strain.No3, Scenedesmus obliquus, Phorrnidium foveolarum and Lyngbya limnetica. Among these strains, C. vulgaris strain No1 was characterized by the maximum growth rate and the highest productivity. Mass cultivation of this strain in wastewater resulted in accumulation of 5 x 10(7) cells per ml in 16 days, and in the removal of similar to 95% of pollutants from water. Cells of C. vulgaris consisted of similar to 35% proteins, 29% carbohydrates, 30% lipids, and 6% ash, as calculated on a dry weight basis. The major fatty -acids of C. vulgaris were represented by palmitic, cis-7,10hexadecenoic acid, linoleic, and a-linolenic acids. Culturing in wastewater decreased the unsaturation index of FAs. Thus, C. vulgaris cells are suitable for both waste water purification and accumulation of biomass for further biodiesel production. (C) 2016 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.