Development of biofuel production using microalgae
Keywords: Microalgae, biofuels, renewable energy, decarbonization, carbon neutrality
As environmental changes progress, promoting decarbonization towards the realization of a sustainable society has become a global challenge. We are developing biofuels using microalgae with the aim of creating carbon-neutral renewable energy. The microalga Nannochloropsis accumulates lipids that can reach up to 50% of its cell content and can be cultivated at high densities, which allows us to develop technology for the efficient and high-yield production of lipids using this alga. Meanwhile, we are also advancing the development of an "extracellular production method" for free fatty acids using cyanobacteria, another type of microalgae. The intracellular production method, which involves accumulating fuel substances within the cells, consumes a tremendous amount of energy during processes such as harvesting, drying, and extracting the fuel substances. In contrast, the extracellular production method is expected to significantly reduce costs and has the advantage of being able to produce fuel substances in quantities that exceed the cell volume. The lipids and free fatty acids obtained from the algae can be converted into diesel fuel and other products.
- Company：埼玉大学 オープンイノベーションセンター
- Price：Other
