Technology for Developing Super Microalgal Biofuels

Abstract

Recent technological advances have enabled microalgae-based engineering of bioproducts. Microalgae have a higher photosynthetic efficiency than plants and can be cultivated in agriculturally unused land, which has helped us mass-produce microalgae such as Euglena gracilis. E. gracilis is a unicellular microalgal species found in freshwater and is an attractive species for producing lipids which can be converted into biofuels. However, its lipid production efficiency is low and unable to meet high demands from the competitive fuel market. In this article, we review a few innovative methods for developing super biofuels based on super microalgae that are anticipated to overcome the low lipid production efficiency.