Algae Produce Green Energy Hydrocarbon Biofuels
Chemistry & Engineering News reports in their September 1, 2008 issue that producing hydrocarbons, rather than ethanol, is another aspect of biofuels. Microalgae are the most efficient producers as 60-70% of their cell volumes are taken up by photosynthetic apparatus, and these organisms don’t have any roots, stems or leaves to divert resources to. Anastasios Melis, professor of plant biology at the University of California, Berkeley, is working to maximize the production of hydrocarbons in these cells, particularly Botryococcus braunii. They are producing a terpene C30 botryococcene, a hydrocarbon that is similar to squalene in structure.
[...] braunii (Bb) is a green, pyramid shaped planktonic micro alga of the order Chlorococcales (class …Algae Produce Green Energy Hydrocarbon Biofuels… maximize the production of hydrocarbons in these cells, particularly Botryococcus braunii. … [...]