Optimal production of bioethanol from macroalgae via photo-chemo-enzymatic processing

Research summary

Our work is related to the use of macroalgae as a renewable feedstock for the production of valuable chemicals and/or biofuels. Our goal is to select optimal processes in order to add value to marine biomass, which can lead the production of valuable chemicals and/or biofuels. In Finland we are focused on chemical treatments for algae, that mainly stand for deconstruction of the biomass matrix which can selectively separate carbohydrates, which consequently can be further processed for biofuels production. Chilean collaborators are mainly focused on biotechnological processes, on the development of new enzymes for degradation of algae carbohydrates and new microorganisms capable to ferment particular monomers into bioethanol.

Description

Throughout the development of the project we have found that macroalgae have great potential for valuable chemicals and biofuels production, mainly because of its high carbohydrate content and completely lack of lignin, which improves accessibility to carbohydrates located on the biomass matrix compared to woody biomass. In this context, ionic liquids have been found to have interesting dissolution properties of algae carbohydrates, which is very important in terms of green chemistry processes. Finding of new enzymes to degrade particular carbohydrates found specially in brown algae is currently under research, as well as the development of new microorganisms capable to ferment such monomers obtained after this biological degradation.

Research info

Research title
Optimal production of bioethanol from macroalgae via photo-chemo-enzymatic processing

Research timeline
1.1.2013 - 1.12.2015

Keywords
Algae Bioethanol Biofuels biomass Carbohydrates Enzymes Ionic Liquids

Region
Latin America

Countries
Chile, Finland

Institution
Åbo Akademi University
Faculty of Science and Engineering
Turku, Finland

Head of research
Jyri-Pekka Mikkola

Research team
Ricardo Pezoa, Päivi Mäki-Arvela, Jyri-Pekka Mikkola

Partners
University of Chile, University of Oulu

Contact information
Ricardo Pezoa-Conte
rpezoa@abo.fi
Open link

Record last updated
29.1.2015