Microalgal lipid is a promising feedstock for biodiesel production. Effect of cultivation temperature on the growth and lipid accumulation properties of a freshwater microalga Scenedesmus sp. LX1 was studied. Scenedesmus sp. LX1 could grow in a wide range of temperature (10 similar to 30 degrees C), and the growth activation energy was 49.3 kJ.mol(-1). The optimal temperature to produce microalgal biomass and lipid was 20 degrees C, and after 15 days of batch cultivation the productivities of 313.3 g biomass.(g P)(-1), 112 g lipid (g P)(-1), and 14.7 g TAGs.(g P)(-1), were obtained. The content of polyunsaturated fatty acids decreased with the increase of cultivation temperature. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels at 10 degrees C and 20 degrees C were higher than that under higher temperature. For the first time the cultivation temperature, ROS level, specific growth rate and lipid content per microalgal biomass were correlated together. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.