For a few years now, research and experimentation with microalgae to use them to manufacture biofuels because they have several advantages over other raw materials. Microalgae are currently used for pharmaceutical uses, food, etc.
These microalgae are photoautotrophic unicellular microorganisms, with the ability to obtain energy from light radiation and to synthesize their biomolecules basically from carbon dioxide (CO2) and water.
Some of the most notable are:
- Microalgae are abundant on the planet not only in quantity but also in variety. 30.000 species of algae are known but only 50 were studied in detail and only 10% are used for some commercial purpose. So there are excellent chances of getting good results from those who have yet to study.
- They have the potential to be used to make different products such as bioethanol of your carbohydrates, biodiesel of its lipids or oil, biogas and I think for the cattle of their proteins.
- Another of the great advantages of microalgae is that they can develop in salt, fresh and even residual water, so they have an excellent adaptation. And it allows no land to be used to cultivate them.
- The production of these microalgae also allows absorb CO2 of the atmosphere.
Microalgae are a raw material with great energy potential that most of them are still in the research and experimentation stage.
But it is expected that in a short time new products will be developed based on them that are economically profitable and ecologically sustainable.
Microalgae can be part of the solution of problems in modern society of the Fossil fuels and the pollution they produce. Since they are absolutely ecological but you must understand them to be able to use and exploit them commercially.
SOURCE: The economist. it is