Novel biodiesel or fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) was produced from dried biomass of Schizochytrium limacinum with dimethyl carbonate over a time period of 30 min. The highest FAME yield could reach 84% at 85 degrees C with a ratio of dried biomass to dimethyl carbonate of 1:4 w/w, with extra solvent of petroleum ether, 1.5 wt. % methanesulfonic-acid (based on oil weight) and an agitation speed of 150 rpm. Biomass dried with 60-120 silica gels at 38 degrees C for 30 min was investigated. FAME was purified using Amberlyst (TM) 15 dry resin. FAME was analyzed via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry with the internal standard method. The properties of FAME met the international standard ASTM D 6751-02. The results revealed that all of the reaction variables in study had positive effects. Present study indicate that FAME could be a potential alternative to diesel. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.