Botryococcus braunii: A Renewable Source of Hydrocarbons and Other Chemicals

Botryococcus braunii, a green colonial microalga, is an unusually rich renewable source of hydrocarbons and other chemicals. Hydrocarbons can constitute up to 75% of the dry mass of B. braunii. This review details the various facets of biotechnology of B. braunii, including its microbiology and phys...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Critical reviews in biotechnology 2002-01, Vol.22 (3), p.245-279
Main Authors: Banerjee, Anirban, Sharma, Rohit, Chisti, Yusuf, Banerjee, U. C.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
algal culture
Algal culture (microalgae)
algal hydrocarbons
Biological and medical sciences
Biotechnology
Biotechnology - methods
botryococcene
Botryococcus braunii
Chlorophyta - chemistry
Chlorophyta - metabolism
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Hydrocarbons - chemistry
Hydrocarbons - metabolism
Methods. Procedures. Technologies
microalgae
photobioreactors
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Summary:Botryococcus braunii, a green colonial microalga, is an unusually rich renewable source of hydrocarbons and other chemicals. Hydrocarbons can constitute up to 75% of the dry mass of B. braunii. This review details the various facets of biotechnology of B. braunii, including its microbiology and physiology; production of hydrocarbons and other compounds by the alga; methods of culture; downstream recovery and processing of algal hydrocarbons; and cloning of the algal genes into other microorganisms. B. braunii converts simple inorganic compounds and sunlight to potential hydrocarbon fuels and feedstocks for the chemical industry. Microorganisms such as B. braunii can, in the long run, reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and because of this B. braunii continues to attract much attention.
ISSN:0738-8551
1549-7801
DOI:10.1080/07388550290789513