Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
13
Microalgal
Biotechnology: Today's
(Green) Gold Rush
Ravi V. Durvasula and Durvasula V. Subba Rao
Center for Global Health, Department of Internal Medicine
University of New Mexico School of Medicine and
The Raymond G. Murphy VA Medical Center
Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
Vadrevu S. Rao
Department of Mathematics
Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Hyderabad
Kukatpally Campus, Hyderabad, India
CONTENTS
13.1 Introduction .................................................................................................. 201
13.2 Cultivation .................................................................................................... 203
13.3 Native Strains, Consortia of Species, and Extremophiles ............................206
13.4 Variations in Algal Production: Crucial but Ignored.................................... 208
13.5 Lipid Variations: Physiological State ............................................................ 210
13.6 Biochemical Manipulation: Higher Yields ................................................... 213
13.7 Harvesting ..................................................................................................... 214
13.8 Genetic Modification of Algae ..................................................................... 216
13.9 Summary ...................................................................................................... 217
Acknowledgments .................................................................................................. 220
References .............................................................................................................. 220
13.1 INTRODUCTION
As the global use of energy is projected to increase fivefold by 2100, several countries
are investing in microalgal biotechnology as a source of renewable energy to enhance
their energy security. Although microalgae are a source of high-value chemicals such
as nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals, with a gold-rush mentality many entrepreneurs
focus primarily on biofuel as an end-product utilizing a few selected “traditional”
201
Search WWH ::
Custom Search