Thermodynamic approach to biofuels from microalgae and cyanobacteria: The role of electrochemical potential

Abstract

Biofuels from 3rd-generation feed-stocks like microalgae and cyanobacteria are considered possible replacements for fossil fuels and a means to reduce emissions of the greenhouse gas CO₂. There is a need to understand how to control microbial growth by manipulating environmental conditions to increase photosynthetic biofuel productivity and/or reduce manufacturing costs. A novel, non-equilibrium, bio-thermodynamic-based model has been developed here to fundamentally link electrochemical potential, membrane electric potential, trans-membrane pH gradient, and external temperature with microbial proliferation and bio-system behaviour.