AlgaeFarm, how genetics can obtain biofuels from microalgae

The transport energy transition will not only be electric: biofuels will play a key role, especially in sectors such as aviation. But to move from the potential to the reality of algae-based fuels, innovation is needed. This is why the AlgaeFarm event, the And March 20 21 2024 at Pordenone Fiere, will be crucial. The Italian event will serve to take stock of the latest research in the genetic field which aims to improve the production of biofuels from what appears to be a privileged source: microalgae.

Twenty years of promises

We have been cultivating for almost twenty years now microalgae on a large scale it is described as a major potential source of biofuels. And it is not difficult to understand why: with the imperative to reduce, and eventually eliminate, fossil fuels from transport, electricity alone will not be enough. Some sectors, such as aviation, will not be able to do without carbon-based fuels. We are thus moving from talking about decarbonization to defossilization of these segments, using fuels that are carbon-neutral or carbon-negative, i.e. which during their life cycle manage to remove CO2 from the atmosphere.

Among the possible answers are biofuels so-called “drop-ins”i.e. they can be used with minimal changes to existing engines. And this is where microalgae come into play: these microorganisms, appropriately cultivated, can synthesize fatty substances (usually oils), which, subjected to treatments similar to petrochemical ones with hydrogen (hydrotreating), are converted into fuels with a composition similar to Jet-A, the so-called SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuels). The process has already been widely demonstrated, the problem is the costs and the quantities that can be obtained.

Algoculture, the key to carbon-negative?

If you aim for carbon-neutral or carbon-negative, the most suitable microalgae they are autotrophic, or phototrophic. These organisms make use of light and water, with the addition of some nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus, to fix the carbon contained in CO2, releasing oxygen: a "very personal" version of photosynthesis. Carbon together with hydrogen from water, however, forms the lipids of oils. But for the oil to be used for energy purposes, the microalgae must produce a lot of it per unit of mass, not use it in their own physiology (and therefore accumulate it) but make it easily available.

Here the challenges on the road to biofuels emerge: Being organisms, algae do not behave like disciplined assembly-line robots. They tend to clump together, so light can't reach them all. Added to this are poor efficiency in the use of available energy, metabolization of oils, and retention of the same. All factors that explain the high costs and limited quantities. But researchers and companies have been working for years to find solutions.

Biofuels, genetic innovation at the service of algae

Genetic innovation seems to offer the most promising answers. For example, it has been discovered that when subjected to stress, certain algal strains secrete oil into the water, allowing the algae to be "milked" without "killing" them. Some species, then, have genes that under certain conditions cause an anomalous accumulation of oil. By intervening on the genome we try to understand whether those parts of the DNA can always be activated. Furthermore, by acting on the genome we try to make photosynthesis more efficient, for example by shortening the rest period in the transition from full exposure to light to partial shade.

All fascinating research, which does not only concern energy purposes but is particularly motivated by them. And ad AlgaeFarm a panel of internationally renowned researchers will talk about it. The event, organized by Pordenone Fiere in collaboration with AISAM (Italian Association for the Study and Applications of Microalgae) and with the patronage of EABA, will be held within the framework of NovelFarm, exhibition-conference on innovations in agritech, indoor and vertical farming, scheduled for 20 and 21 March.

If you want to discover how microalgae, appropriately "reprogrammed" thanks to genetic engineering, can contribute to making the future of transport greener, AlgaeFarm is the event not to be missed. Because the road to defossilization also passes through these microorganisms. “Beings” capable of transforming light, water and CO2 into precious fuels. A silent but powerful revolution, which could soon reach from culture tanks to aircraft tanks.