Biomass, transformation into biofuels

Continuing the search it was possible to hit the site Plants for a future , where a variety of uses of plants is mentioned. It highlighted the use of plants as food, as medicines and for many other purposes like lubricants, fuel, for lighting, in paints and varnishes, etc. Here we will focus our discussion mainly on the possibility of using plants as sources of bioproducts and for biomass to be transformed into biofuels. 

Besides the broad applications of electrically contacted enzyme electrodes as amperometric biosensors, substantial recent research efforts are directed to the integration of these functional electrodes as biofuel cell devices. The biofuel cell consists of an electrically contacted enzyme electrode acting as anode, where the oxidation of the fuel occurs, and an electrically wired cathode, where the biocatalyzed reduction of the oxidizer proceeds (Fig. 12.4a). The biocatalytic transformations occurring at the anode and the cathode lead to the oxidation of the fuel substrate and the reduction of the oxidizer, with the concomitant generation of a current through the external circuit. Such biofuel cells can, in principle, transform chemical energy stored in biomass into electrical energy. Also, the use... 

Microalgae could prove to be a promising candidate in the biorefinery process because of its valuable compounds viz. lipids, proteins, and carbohydrates. This process transforms algal biomass into beneficial products such as biofuels. 

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