Biofuels from cyanobacteria -a metabolic engineering approach

Abstract

The concern about the limited availability of petroleum-based fuels and their role in increasing CO2 levels in the atmosphere has sparked significant attention toward biofuel and bioenergy production. The global pursuit of sustainable energy sources has catalyzed innovative research into alternative biofuel production strategies. Transforming CO2 into usable fuels and chemicals is gaining even more prominence. Cyanobacteria, renowned for their photosynthetic ability, have emerged as promising candidates for biofuel synthesis. Their ability to convert solar energy and carbon dioxide into valuable biofuels makes them a compelling avenue for sustainable energy solutions. Using metabolic engineering principles, researchers have endeavored to optimize cyanobacterial metabolic pathways, enhance photosynthetic efficiency, and redirect carbon flux toward biofuel precursors. Numerous species of cyanobacteria offer genetic and metabolic traits that facilitate manipulation, and their photosynthetic characteristics imply that carbohydrates, fatty acids, and even alcohol could serve as potential renewable sources for biofuels. This review showcases cyanobacteria's ability as a biofuel source and emphasizes the transformative influence of metabolic engineering employed in the creation and production of "cyanofuels”