Scientists Working Towards Biodiesel from Algae

Dr. Teresita Perez, chairwoman of Ateneo's Department of Environmental Science, heads the research on algal mass production to source out oil that can be a good alternative source of fuel, according to ABS-CBN News.

Perez said the study still has a long way to go. She, however, said that scientists have already isolated potential algal species in the Philippines.

She said that algal oil as alternative biodiesel is not new. Israel is one of the countries leading this research on the development of algal oil for biodiesel. She added that kerogen, the petroleum now used, came from the oil produced by algae in the sea.

"Oil produced offshore is mainly produced by the diatoms in the ocean.. Diatoms are a kind of algae, they're also called phytoplankton and majority of them exist in the unicellular forms," she explained.

Studies have shown that alga in unicellular form when manipulated can have at least 40 to 50 percent oil. Manipulation of the medium involves altering the ratio of the major nutrients to enhance oil production in the cells.

Ateneo scientists are now looking at ways to mass produce the alga without using chemicals as fertilizers. Perez said they are looking at chicken manure or pig waste and even fresh water lakes as source of alternative growth medium.

View the ABS-CBN News by clicking here.

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