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Monster potential meets potential monster: pros and cons of deploying genetically modified microalgae for biofuels production

Flynn, K.J.; Mitra, A.; Greenwell, H.C.; Sui, J.

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Authors

K.J. Flynn

A. Mitra

J. Sui



Abstract

Biofuels production from microalgae attracts much attention but remains an unproven technology. We explore routes to enhance production through modifications to a range of generic microalgal physiological characteristics. Our analysis shows that biofuels production may be enhanced ca fivefold through genetic modification (GM) of factors affecting growth rate, respiration, photoacclimation, photosynthesis efficiency and the minimum cell quotas for nitrogen and phosphorous (N : C and P : C). However, simulations indicate that the ideal GM microalgae for commercial deployment could, on escape to the environment, become a harmful algal bloom species par excellence, with attendant risks to ecosystems and livelihoods. In large measure, this is because an organism able to produce carbohydrate and/or lipid at high rates, providing stock metabolites for biofuels production, will also be able to attain a stoichiometric composition that will be far from optimal as food for the support of zooplankton growth. This composition could suppress or even halt the grazing activity that would otherwise control the microalgal growth in nature. In consequence, we recommend that the genetic manipulation of microalgae, with inherent consequences on a scale comparable to geoengineering, should be considered under strict international regulation.

Citation

Flynn, K., Mitra, A., Greenwell, H., & Sui, J. (2013). Monster potential meets potential monster: pros and cons of deploying genetically modified microalgae for biofuels production. Interface Focus, 3(1), https://doi.org/10.1098/rsfs.2012.0037

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date Feb 1, 2013
Deposit Date Feb 2, 2015
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal Interface Focus
Electronic ISSN 2042-8901
Publisher The Royal Society
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 3
Issue 1
DOI https://doi.org/10.1098/rsfs.2012.0037
Keywords Microalgae, Genetic modification, Biofuels, Predator–prey, Stoichiometry.

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