Developing Microalgae Primarily for the Production of Biofuel

As a locally available, renewable, and sustainable biofuel, microalgae are being employed more and more as a different sort of biofuel.

Microalgae are grown by researchers to produce biofuel

(Photo : PHILIPPE DESMAZES/AFP via Getty Images)

In order to utilize microalgae's metabolites, particularly lipids, with the primary goal of manufacturing biofuel, a team of researchers at the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP) in Brazil have produced microalgae under controlled circumstances in a laboratory, as per Phys.org.

In addition to extracting substances that can be used in cosmetics, such as beta-carotene and other useful chemicals, it is also possible to extract protein and carbs and use them as food, according to Luisa Fernanda Ríos, the second author of the research.

By contrasting its behavior in closed and open environments, the study examined the growth and production of the microalga Botryococcus terribilis.

Photobioreactors are examples of closed systems where the environment can be tightly regulated and there is no air exchange.

Raceways, which are shallow man-made ponds or channels which microalgae, water, and nutrients flow, as well as air exchange with the environment, are examples of open systems.

Over 50% of the oxygen humans breathe is produced by microalgae, the oldest known microbes, according to Rios.

The organic stuff that we now recognize as plants was produced by fungi and microalgae working together.

Microalgae use photosynthesis to grow, much like plants do, and produce oxygen as a byproduct as well as energy from the sun, water, and atmospheric carbon dioxide.

Carotenoids, chlorophyll, and vitamins are present in lower amounts together with proteins, carbs, and lipids in the metabolites that are produced.

Also Read: Marine Microalgae: Food and Fuel of the Future

Culturing Microalgae

Since different microalgae require various environmental conditions, industrial microalgae farming has grown significantly in recent years to produce biofuels and bioproducts, as per eufic.

Since different microalgae require various environmental conditions, industrial microalgae farming has grown significantly in recent years to generate biofuels and bioproducts.

Utilizing a biophotoreactor is one approach. In this procedure, the microalgae species' cells are grown in tiny glass balloons that are filled with water, nutrients that allow them to multiply, carbon dioxide, and light.

The cells are then moved outside and exposed to sunshine before being placed in a tubular photobioreactor where they are given additional light and nutrients until they are ready to be harvested.

The process of producing microalgae is currently in its early stages.

There are many obstacles to overcome before the process can be scaled up to fulfill the need for food.

For instance, production uses a lot of resources, including a hefty sum to automate the process and make it more effective.

Stress is used for more microalgae reproduction

Unicellular microalgae divide into two identical daughter cells during mitosis, which leads to exponential growth.

Because they contain more saturated and mono-unsaturated fatty acids than other oils, B. terribilis oils are excellent to produce biofuels.

The research fills a knowledge gap regarding the cultivation, stress, and composition of these microalgae, helping judgments about cultivation conditions and biorefinery applications.

The organism begins accumulating lipids to ensure its survival when it detects a deficiency in these nutrients.

This capability served as a tactical tool for us to produce an accumulation of the target metabolite.

That is to say, by removing nutrients necessary for growth, we strained the organism.

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