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Biofuels

Biofuels

The microbial conversion of organic matter into biofuels holds potential as a renewable energy source. Among biofuel sources, microalgae are recognized as a highly efficient and adaptable feedstock for biodiesel production, owing to their rapid biomass accumulation, elevated lipid productivity, and capacity to proliferate in diverse aquatic systems, including freshwater, marine, and wastewater habitats. Unlike terrestrial crops, microalgae do not compete for land and can achieve significantly...

Green Algae

Green Algae

Green algae, also referred to as chlorophytes, are different from red algae in having the chloroplasts containing chlorophylls a and b, which give them their distinct green hue. However, they lack phycobiliproteins, preventing them from developing the red or blue-green pigmentation seen in red algae. In terms of photosynthetic pigment composition, green algae closely resemble plants and share a close evolutionary relationship with them. Taxonomically Green algae belong to Phylum Chlorophyta in...

Microbial Bioremediation of Hydrocarbons

Microbial Bioremediation of Hydrocarbons

Bioremediation is an environmentally sustainable process that employs living organisms—primarily microorganisms—to degrade or neutralize pollutants from contaminated environments. In oil spills and hydrocarbon pollution, bioremediation involves the use of hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria to transform toxic compounds into less harmful substances. This approach leverages natural microbial metabolic processes and is considered both cost-effective and ecologically favorable compared to physical or...

Microbial Fuel Cells

Microbial Fuel Cells

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are bioelectrochemical devices that generate electricity by exploiting the metabolic processes of electrogenic bacteria. These systems provide a renewable energy source and serve as an innovative method for treating organic waste, such as wastewater.A typical MFC consists of two chambers: an anoxic (oxygen-free) compartment that houses the bacteria and an oxic (oxygen-rich) compartment that contains oxygen as the terminal electron acceptor. Many MFCs use proton...

Bioplastics

Bioplastics

Bioplastics derived from microbial processes present a sustainable alternative to conventional petroleum-based plastics. Among these, polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), particularly polyhydroxybutyrates (PHBs), have emerged as prominent candidates due to their biodegradability and biocompatibility. These polymers are synthesized by a variety of bacteria, such as Cupriavidus necator and Pseudomonas putida, which naturally accumulate PHAs as intracellular carbon and energy reserves, especially under...

Bioremediation

Bioremediation

Bioremediation is the use of prokaryotes, fungi, or plants to remove pollutants from the environment. This process has been used to remove harmful toxins in groundwater as a byproduct of agricultural run-off and also to clean up oil spills.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 11, 2026

Qualitative Characterization of the Aqueous Fraction from Hydrothermal Liquefaction of Algae Using 2D Gas Chromatography with Time-of-flight Mass Spectrometry

Qualitative Characterization of the Aqueous Fraction from Hydrothermal Liquefaction of Algae Using 2D Gas Chromatography with Time-of-flight Mass Spectrometry

Published on: March 6, 2016

Renewable fuels from algae: an answer to debatable land based fuels.

Anoop Singh¹, Poonam Singh Nigam, Jerry D Murphy

¹Biofuels Research Group, Environmental Research Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland. apsinghenv@gmail.com

Bioresource Technology

|July 10, 2010

Summary

First and second-generation biofuels offer fossil fuel alternatives but raise food prices. Third-generation biofuels using algal biomass on non-arable land present a sustainable solution.

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Last Updated: Jun 11, 2026

Qualitative Characterization of the Aqueous Fraction from Hydrothermal Liquefaction of Algae Using 2D Gas Chromatography with Time-of-flight Mass Spectrometry

Qualitative Characterization of the Aqueous Fraction from Hydrothermal Liquefaction of Algae Using 2D Gas Chromatography with Time-of-flight Mass Spectrometry

Published on: March 6, 2016

Construction and Setup of a Bench-scale Algal Photosynthetic Bioreactor with Temperature, Light, and pH Monitoring for Kinetic Growth Tests

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Published on: June 14, 2017

Quantification of Heavy Metals and Other Inorganic Contaminants on the Productivity of Microalgae

Quantification of Heavy Metals and Other Inorganic Contaminants on the Productivity of Microalgae

Published on: July 10, 2015

Area of Science:

Biotechnology and Renewable Energy

Background:

Fossil fuels are depleting, necessitating sustainable energy alternatives.
First and second-generation biofuels, while viable, face challenges like increased food prices due to arable land use.

Purpose of the Study:

To review biofuel generations and address the food price debate.
To explore algal biomass cultivation on non-arable land for third-generation biofuels.

Main Methods:

Literature review of biofuel technologies.
Analysis of the impact of biofuel production on food markets.
Examination of recent research on algal biomass cultivation and biofuel conversion.

Main Results:

First and second-generation biofuels contribute to energy needs but impact food prices.
Algal biomass cultivation on non-arable land offers a promising solution to land-use conflicts.
Advancements in algal cultivation and biofuel production are accelerating.

Conclusions:

Third-generation biofuels from algae represent a sustainable path forward.
Utilizing non-arable land for algal biofuel production mitigates food security concerns.
Continued research is vital for optimizing algal biofuel technology.