Bioethanol from Red Algae
A biotechnology research team from University of Korea has found a clue to make ethanol from red algae.
Red alga, rich in carbohydrates, is an ideal source of bioethanol. The major ingredient of red algae is 3, 6- Anhydro-L-galactose (L-AHG), whose metabolic pathway is not yet being mapped.
Korean researchers have found that Vibrio vulnificus, a colon bacillus lives on L-AHG and breaks down the red algae. The new colon bacillus with the help of new fermentation enzymes is able to produce 24% more ethanol than the existing colon bacillus.
This technology is suitable to produce biofuel and bioplastics using algae biomass.