Previously, I had done a little research on alternative biofuel sources and found out that algae could be an environmentally friendly and very efficient source of biofuel. Its efficiency is because much more of the organism is devoted to oil production than a plant such as hemp, soy, or corn. It does not suck any carbon up from the ground and pump it into the atmosphere like petroleum. Instead, algae use photosynthesis in which carbon dioxide from the atmosphere is used to make organic compounds.
Powering motors with algal fuel could be a better future than electric powered motors. Everyone having electric cars would make in incredible demand on the electric grid. The demand would be so huge that renewable sources of electricity would not be able to supply it. Perhaps nuclear could, but that is not an ideal solution.
Water 4 to introduce algae DHA/EPA as food ingredient
The technology used to mass produce oil from algae has a lesser known use than biofuel: dietary supplements. It is fairly widely known that fish oil is a good dietary supplement because of its omega-3 essential fatty acids, particular EPA and DHA. There are other plant sources of omega-3s, namely flax, hemp, and pumpkin, but these are mostly APA and people need all 3 omega-3s. APA can be converted to EPA & DHA in the body, but not fast enough. Thus, fish oil is used as a dietary supplement. However, current fishing practices might not be sustainable and fish may be contaminated with mercury.
2 comments:
This is very impressive. I have never heard of this use of algae, but it sounds like a very efficient alternative to the "not so efficient" sources we are using today to power our nation.
so far i've heard they're making edible plastic bowls out of algae ;D
Post a Comment