The Current Status and Prospect of Biodiesel

Abstract

To address the constantly deteriorating situation of energy supply, the environment, and energy security, biodiesel is considered to be the most important biofuel of the future. However, the high cost of biodiesel inhibits it to become a viable alternative of petroleum-based fuel. As global demand for food is expected to double in next 50 years, food-based biodiesel appears to be an unwise choice. Therefore, biodiesel from lignocellulosic biowastes seems to be an attractive and promising alternative to crude oil because of its superior environmental benefits, economical competitiveness, and resource sustainability. More attention should be paid to microbial oil technology, as it needs virtually no additional farmland to convert agricultural residues and other lignocellulosic biomass into lipids.