Biodiesel and bioethanol from microalgae

Abstract

Microalgae are a group of unicellular or multicellular photosynthetic microorganisms that have the ability to use sources of organic and inorganic carbon for their development.Microalgal biomass has been proposed as a raw material for the production of energy and other products due to its high productivity, flexibility, capacity for using wastewater, and the fact that nonfertile land is required for cultivation.These microorganisms can synthesize and store lipids in the form of triacylglycerols and fermentable carbohydrates, which are used for the production of biodiesel and bioethanol, respectively.The application of nutrient-rich industrial effluents for the cultivation and the application of microalgal biomass within the photobiorefinery concept are matters that research groups around the world have considered to reduce production costs and to make sustainable energy production using these microorganisms feasible.