Outlook on Microalgal Biofuels

Microalgae are considered one of the most promising feedstocks for biofuels. The productivity of these photosynthetic microorganisms in converting carbon dioxide into carbon-rich lipids, only a step or two away from biodiesel, greatly exceeds that of agricultural oleaginous crops, without competing...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science) 2010-08, Vol.329 (5993), p.796-799
Main Authors: Wijffels, René H, Barbosa, Maria J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Algae
algae culture
algen
algenteelt
Arable land
Bio-energie
biobased economy
Biodiesel
Biodiesel fuels
Bioenergy
Biofuels
Biofuels - economics
Biology
Biomass
Biomass production
biomassa productie
Bioreactors
Biotechnology - methods
Carbon dioxide
Carbon Dioxide - metabolism
chemicals
Commercial production
cultural methods
cultuurmethoden
economic viability
Economics
economische haalbaarheid
efficiency
energy
Energy crops
Eukaryota - genetics
Eukaryota - growth & development
Eukaryota - metabolism
evolution
Fuels
Genetic Engineering
genome reveals
Lipid Metabolism
Lipids
Microalgae
PERSPECTIVES
photobioreactor
Productivity
Raw materials
Sunlight
Sustainable agriculture
Technology
Water
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Summary:Microalgae are considered one of the most promising feedstocks for biofuels. The productivity of these photosynthetic microorganisms in converting carbon dioxide into carbon-rich lipids, only a step or two away from biodiesel, greatly exceeds that of agricultural oleaginous crops, without competing for arable land. Worldwide, research and demonstration programs are being carried out to develop the technology needed to expand algal lipid production from a craft to a major industrial process. Although microalgae are not yet produced at large scale for bulk applications, recent advances--particularly in the methods of systems biology, genetic engineering, and biorefining--present opportunities to develop this process in a sustainable and economical way within the next 10 to 15 years.
ISSN:0036-8075
1095-9203
DOI:10.1126/science.1189003