This study investigated nitrogen, phosphorus, total organic carbon inorganic carbon assimilation and lipid production of microalgae in raw tannery wastewater without pretreatment. The microalgae Scenedesmus sp. was cultured in an airlift photobioreactors (3 L) for 21 days. Biomass growth, lipid production and composition of fatty acid were evaluated. The results showed that the adaptation of microalgae for this nutrient source was effective. The cultivation of Scenedesmus sp. in tannery wastewater presented maximum concentration of biomass (1.75 ± 0.09 g L-1) and removal of NH3-N (83.44%), PO4-P (93.09%), COT (26.05%) and IC (82.78%). The observed lipid accumulation was 18.92 ± 0.78% for Scenedesmus sp. cultivated in tannery wastewater. The results proved that the biodiesel from Scenedesmus sp. through an environmentally friendly and simple process fulfilled analyzed requirements of EN 14214 for biodiesel.