Ethylene glycol (EG) and propylene glycol (PG) were utilized by C. protothecoides.
EG degradation induced drastic reduction of pH, whereas PG did not induce pH change.
Suitable pH condition was in the range of 5.5 to 8.5 for EG assimilation.
High biomass yield (Yx/s = 0.52 g g− 1) was observed when PG was fed.
Algal assimilation of EG and PG was investigated quantitatively for the first time.