Molecular challenges in microalgae towards cost-effective production of quality biodiesel

Based on their environmental benefits, microalgae are currently the most favorable renewable biofeedstock materials for biodiesel production. However, the possibility of an economically viable production system using microalgae is still technology-driven, not yet market-driven due to its higher production cost. Accordingly, to establish industrial manufacturing systems for microalgal biodiesel, it is critical to develop technology for its cost-effective production. Here, we propose some novel molecular strategies, which have not been attempted for microalgal biodiesel production and are conducive to cost-effective production of biodiesel from microalgae. These include genetic manipulation strategies for higher biomass yield and extracellular production of free fatty acids, triacylglycerol, and fatty acid ethyl ester (biodiesel) with high quality, which could be exploited as a breakthrough technology for the cost-efficient production of microalgal biodiesel.