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Mechanism and challenges in commercialisation of algal biofuels
Abstract
Biofuels made from algal biomass are being considered as the most suitable alternative energy in current global and economical scenario. Microalgae are known to produce and accumulate lipids within their cell mass which is similar to those found in many vegetable oils. The efficient lipid producer algae cell mass has been reported to contain more than 30% of their cell weight as lipids. According to US DOE microalgae have the potential to produce 100 times more oil per acre land than any terrestrial plants. This article reviews up to date literature on the composition of algae, mechanism of oil droplets, triacylglycerol (TAG) production in algal biomass, research and development made in the cultivation of algal biomass, harvesting strategies, and recovery of lipids from algal mass. The economical challenges in the production of biofuels from algal biomass have been discussed in view of the future prospects in the commercialisation of algal fuels.
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“Although some micro-algae naturally float to the surface, flotation can be promoted by addition of air bubbles (Singh et al. 2011).”
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Metadata
- Authors
- Singh, A., Nigam, P. S., & Murphy, J. D.
- Affiliations
- University College Cork (IE)
- University of Ulster (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Nigam, Poonam Singh
- Venue
- Bioresource Technology
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2011-01
- Volume
- 102
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 26-34
- ISSN
- 0960-8524 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2124790961
- Cited by
- 476
- References
- 47
- Citations by year
- 2026: 7 · 2025: 21 · 2024: 18 · 2023: 31 · 2022: 36 · 2021: 29 · 2020: 35 · 2019: 20 · 2018: 24 · 2017: 37 · 2016: 43 · 2015: 35 · 2014: 38 · 2013: 40 · 2012: 35
- FWCI
- 1.12
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Bioresource Technology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Energy › Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment › Algal biology and biofuel production
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Microbial Metabolic Engineering and Bioproduction
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Biochemistry › Lipid metabolism and biosynthesis
- Keywords
- algal biofuels, microalgae, lipid accumulation, triglyceride synthesis, algae cultivation, algal harvesting, lipid recovery, commercialization, economic problems, alternative energy
- MeSH terms
- Forecasting, Oils, Triglycerides, Biomass, Lipid Metabolism, Biofuels, Microalgae
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