“Advances in Biofuel Production: Algae and Aquatic Plants”

Abstract

“Advances in Biofuel Production: Algae and Aquatic Plants” is a compilation of papers that have previously been published elsewhere, presented as 12 chapters. These have been edited by Barnabas Gikonyo, whose research interests range from the application of biocompatible polymeric materials for the repair of spinal cord injuries to the development of non-food biofuels. The book is intended to provide an overview and evaluation of the current status and prospects for fuel production via algae, microalgae and aquatic plants. As such, the book should appeal to general researchers with an interest in this area, rather than just specialists working in the fi eld. The book is divided into three main sections. Part One provides an overview of the current status and challenges in producing sustainable fuels from algae. Part Two, which consists of seven chapters and makes up the bulk of the book, examines both the supply potential and some of the current technologies relevant to biofuel production. The fi nal section comprises three chapters dealing with next generation research, with a focus on progress in genetic developments. The chapters vary from those presenting more general aspects of biofuel production from algae to reviews of specifi c technological aspects (for example electromagnetic biostimulation of living cultures; use of anion exchange resins; next generation sequence systems). A single chapter deals with the catalytic transformation of biomass-derived acids into advanced biofuels.