Ecuadorian Researchers Evaluate Antarctic Algae as Biofuel Feedstock

Scientists at the Faculty of Chemistry of the Central University of Ecuador in Quito hope to use biofuel in the Ecuadorian scientific base Pedro Vicente Maldonado in Fort Williams point, Greenwich Antarctic Island to reduce the environmental impact on the white continent. The research is led by Professor Ronny Flores and is supported by the Ecuadorian Antarctic Institute (INAE) to conduct studies of air pollution in the continent.

Algae could be used to produce fuel, which would help reduce pollution. Flores explains that algae produce more vegetable oil, a raw material for biofuels, than soybeans or corn and, they produce more oil when under stress.

The third stage of the research is currently under development, which involves the extraction of vegetable oil. Different extraction methods are being evaluated and researchers are also working on the characterization of the physicochemical characteristics of the oil obtained. If the group manages to obtain biodiesel in considerable quantities, this could prove beneficial to control air pollution in Antarctica.