Cited by 1,886Algal biology and biofuel productionMicrobial Metabolic Engineering and BioproductionLipid metabolism and biosynthesis

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An Outlook on Microalgal Biofuels

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Wijffels, René H., Barbosa, Maria J.·2010·Science

DOI 10.1126/science.1189003

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Abstract

Microalgae are considered one of the most promising feedstocks for biofuels. The productivity of these photosynthetic microorganisms in converting carbon dioxide into carbon-rich lipids, only a step or two away from biodiesel, greatly exceeds that of agricultural oleaginous crops, without competing for arable land. Worldwide, research and demonstration programs are being carried out to develop the technology needed to expand algal lipid production from a craft to a major industrial process. Although microalgae are not yet produced at large scale for bulk applications, recent advances-particularly in the methods of systems biology, genetic engineering, and biorefining-present opportunities to develop this process in a sustainable and economical way within the next 10 to 15 years.

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“Co-products such as biofuels and residual biomass support SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), and the inherent CO 2 fixation of microalgae contributes to SDG 13 (Climate Action) by lowering net greenhouse gas emissions [188,189].”

Authors: Wijffels, R. H., & Barbosa, M. J.
Affiliations: Wageningen University & Research (NL)
Wageningen University and Research Center, Food and Biobased Research, Post Office Box 17, 6700 AA Wageningen, Netherlands.
ORCID: Wijffels, René H.
Venue: Science
Publisher: American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
Published: 2010-08-13
Volume: 329
Issue: 5993
Pages: 796-799
ISSN: 0036-8075 (ISSN-L)
1095-9203
DOI: 10.1126/science.1189003
OpenAlex: W2002547950
Cited by: 1,886
References: 26
Citations by year: 2026: 59 · 2025: 63 · 2024: 65 · 2023: 69 · 2022: 82 · 2021: 96 · 2020: 146 · 2019: 138 · 2018: 136 · 2017: 153 · 2016: 135 · 2015: 168 · 2014: 162 · 2013: 175 · 2012: 139
FWCI: 61.61
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: green
research.wur.nl
Locations: Science (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Socio-Environmental Systems Modeling (acceptedVersion)
Socio-Environmental Systems Modeling (submittedVersion)
Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) (submittedVersion)
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: microalgae, algal biofuels, biodiesel, algal lipid production, CO2 fixation, photosynthetic microorganisms, oleaginous crops, systems biology, genetic engineering, biorefining, industrial-scale production
MeSH terms: Biotechnology, Carbon Dioxide, Genetic Engineering, Lipids, Sunlight, Technology, Water, Biomass, Bioreactors, Lipid Metabolism, Biofuels, Eukaryota

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An Outlook on Microalgal Biofuels

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