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Microalgae Commercial Status

Migdalia Hidalgo1, Migcadeliz Oliveras1, Jose A. Colucci1, Liliana Martinez2, Miriam Fontalvo3, and Govind S. Nadathur4. (1) Chemical Engineering, University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez Campus, Calle de Diego 39 P2, Mayaguez, PR 00680, (2) Industrial Engineering, University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez Campus, Calle de Diego 39 P2, Mayaguez, PR 00680, (3) Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez Campus, Calle de Diego 39 P2, Mayaguez, PR 00680, (4) Marine Sciences, University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez Campus, Calle de Diego 39 P2, Mayaguez, PR 00680

A renewed interest in sustainable energy raw material sources and technologies emerged strongly because of environmental, geopolitical and national security concerns. The growing awareness of the contribution of traditional fuel usage to climate changes has prompted sustainable energy commercial developments especially in wind, photovoltaic, and biofuels markets. The latter is led by bioethanol and biodiesel.  Microalgae oil are promising source for transport fuels by being renewable and carbon neutral and exceeding oil productivity when compared to other feedstock source of biodiesel.  At the Biorefinery Research Center and affiliated laboratories the emphasis is to develop and implement microalgae based products and expand their commercialization potential.