Skip to main content

Algae—The Potential Future Fuel: Challenges and Prospects

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Microbial Applications Vol.1

Abstract

Algae are single or multicellular photosynthetic organisms that can fix the atmospheric carbon into valuable lipids, proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. These algae are also capable of growing vigorously in different habitats from freshwater to brackish water environments and wastewater streams with nutrient uptake ability. These features make the algae themselves uniquely important in biofuel generation and wastewater treatment process along with CO2 sequestrations without competing with food crop land. The algae can also be used as a substrate for various biofuel generations, bioethanol, bio-butanol, hydrogen, methane, and many commercially valuable products. The applicability and renewability of algal fuel are most promising for the future biotechnological applications. Optimization of algal growth conditions and harvesting technology with desired biofuel generations at low processing cost can make the algae as one of the best sources of energy for future generations. Genetically modified algae which are capable to grow rapidly with generating high cellular lipids and carbohydrate content can be crucial for future energy demand.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Chandrasekhar Kuppam .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2017 Springer International Publishing AG

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Kakarla, R., Kuppam, C., Pandit, S., Kadier, A., Velpuri, J. (2017). Algae—The Potential Future Fuel: Challenges and Prospects. In: Kalia, V., Kumar, P. (eds) Microbial Applications Vol.1. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-52666-9_11

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics