Chapters authored
The Colonial Microalgae Botryococcus braunii as Biorefinery
The growing shortage of fossil fuels caused an increase in the demand for alternative and renewable fuels. Biofuels, like bioethanol and biodiesel, have received more attention as a sustainable replacement of fossil fuels. However, these have a poor oxidative stability, little energy content by volume, and many oxygenated compounds, which may cause corrosion and damage to the engines. Therefore, they are used as a mixture with standard fuels. Some species of microalgae are candidates to produce oils as triglycerides (TGA) to produce biodiesel by transesterification; however, the problem will remain. The colonial microalgae Botryococcus braunii produces and accumulates a high amount of long-chain nonoxygenated hydrocarbons, similar to those obtained from the fractionated distillation of crude petroleum. This is one of the few organisms reported to have a direct contribution in the formation of the oil reserves currently in use. Additionally, B. braunii produces pigments and long-chain carbohydrates that have interesting properties for various industries. There are still problems to be solved in order to consider it as economically viable and profitable, but important progress is being made. Therefore, this microalga is very attractive for the synthesis of hydrocarbons and other value-added compounds, making it an interesting biorefinery organism.
Part of the book: Microalgae