Using low cost materials, tubular photo-bioreactors type bubble column were built for microalgae cultivation. Six factors/two levels Taguchi orthogonal array (L8) was adopted to identify the input variables with the greatest influence on oil accumulation by Chlorella minutissima. The function desirability was used to simultaneously analyze the process variables to attain maximum biomass concentration and lipid content. The microalgal oil was submitted to acid simultaneous esterification and transesterification reactions using homogeneous (H2SO4) and heterogeneous (Nb2O5/SO4) catalysts. Both catalysts afforded high biodiesel yield (> 96%), although heterogeneous catalyst showed better yield (98%) and low residual glycerides at 4 h reaction.