Algae Waxes

[guru]

It looks like Algae producing High carbon chain Lipid rather than triglyceride could be used as a wax source.Can anybody suggest me some algae used for producing waxes?

[greengold09]

Hi guru,
Some algae under some condition produce High carbon chain Lipid which are waxes. I read that Euglena gracilis produces wax in aerobic environment. They say growing the algae heterotropically and then maintaining anaerobic condition will convert the polysaccharides into waxes.

[cacofonix]

While it is theoretically possible to make products such as waxes from algae, I doubt if these are going to be cost effective against petro-based waxes for many many years to come