Indian scientists, under the INSPIRE program of Ministry of science and technology, have developed low-cost biodiesel from microalgae. The technique to use microalgae is developed by a team of scientists led by T Mathimani from the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Tiruchirappalli. Referring to the technique, the ministry said Mathimani and his team have isolated predominant strains of marine microalgal species from the coastal regions of Tamil Nadu for their potential in terms of total organic carbon content and Triacylglycerides(TAG) content for biodiesel production. “The group will formulate a roadmap by which biodiesel can be produced commercially and can be put in an energy market sustainably” said the ministry.
Though algae is being exploited as a third-generation feedstock for the production of biofuels such as bioethanol, biodiesel, biogas, and biohydrogen in different countries, it does not reach a successful peak due to the higher cost issues in cultivation, harvesting and extraction steps.
