by Dr. Ann C. Wilkie
Soil and Water Science Department
University of Florida-IFAS

Although presently used to describe the third generation biofuel crop, the word ‘algae’ encompasses an extremely diverse group of organisms. There are thousands of currently known species of algae, with many tens of thousands more yet to be discovered. The diversity of algae may be key in the industrial development of this future crop. However, compared with corn or wheat, algae have had little agronomic development in human history. Currently, only a handful of species are grown on a commercial scale for specific, high-value products. Algae are ubiquitous, with new species awaiting discovery on every continent and in every sea, river, lake, and ditch. Each locality has a unique group of homegrown algae. These indigenous algae are naturally adapted to the local environment and are primed for photosynthetic resource production.

The production of biofuels and bioproducts from algae currently faces many significant biological and technological challenges. This article outlines the advantages of tapping the tremendous biological diversity of algae for the production of locally needed resources and environmental services such as waste remediation. The strategy of using homegrown algae explores the naturally developed yet untapped genetic potential of indigenous algae for bioresource production.

To learn learn, download and read this paper by Dr. Wilkie from Energy for Sustainable Development here:
Indigenous algae for local bioresource production: Phycoprospecting