Change Your World Week Winter 2022 (Archived)

Biofuels are the liquid or gaseous fuels which are an inexhaustible source and environmentally affable.

Examples: bioethanol, bio-methanol, biodiesel, and bio-hydrogen.

For decades, the earth has acquired fuel from things such as coal, oil, and natural gases to fuel engines, automobiles and for other purposes. Unfortunately, the use of fossil fuels has multiple harmful effects on the planet. Fossil fuels release massive amounts of CO₂ (carbon dioxide) into the atmosphere, along with other pollutants. The use of fossil fuels is slowly damaging our beautiful planet, but they don’t need to be. Fossil fuels can be replaced by using biofuels. Biofuels are the liquid or gaseous fuels which are an inexhaustible source and environmentally affable. 

There are several resources being used to produce biofuels. Some of these resources include food processing waste, animal and poultry waste, and agriculture byproducts. But what about using microbial biomass; MICROBES. But how are these resources beneficial to the planet and to the reduction of fossil fuels? Unfortunately, the cost of producing biofuels is much higher than that of fossil fuels. 

Microbial bioresources are the most significant resource to produce biofuel as they can be achieved in less time and can be cultivated using CO₂ which provides greenhouse gas alleviation benefits. (Kaur T. et al. 2020) A wide array of microbes have the capability to produce biofuels such as algae, bacteria, fungi, and cyanobacteria. 

Several biofuel programs have been implemented in the United States and the European Union with the aim of not only reducing emissions but also reducing the importation of fossil fuels and enhancing the security of fuel supply at a national level. produce cost-effective advanced biofuels, future work should be directed toward the waste-to-wheel life cycle assessment of various feedstocks, such as agriculture waste, and forest residue; as the lignocellulosic content would make a difference for the production rate, cost, and environmental impact. It is estimated that the ethanol produced in the United States serves to replace about 500 million barrels of petroleum annually.

In a Science Daily article, researchers at Washington University in St. Louis share how they have discovered a new way to train microbes to make a readily usable biofuel. A team of biologists and engineers worked together to modify a microbe that can produce a biofuel using just three renewable and naturally abundant ingredients. (Science Daily 2021) The conclusion is butanol; a carbon-neutral fuel alternative that can be used in combination with either gasoline or diesel fuels. Through the process of microbial electrosynthesis (MES), the microorganisms utilize carbon dioxide and convert it into a multi-carbon compound. Dr. Wei Bai states, “The fuel we made, butanol, has high energy content and low tendency to vaporize or dissolve in water without combustion. This is especially true when compared with ethanol.” (Science Daily 2021) As scientists study microbes further, the potential they are discovering in them seems to be very promising. 

Not everyone agrees with using microbes for biofuel, but why is that? In a Frontiers in Microbiology article, it was found that some microorganisms cannot degrade lignocellulose completely for microbes to be successfully turned into biofuel, therefore scientists must be cautious with the organisms they are utilizing. In addition, the greenhouse gas methane can be emitted during the process and can potentially be more potent than CO₂. Methane is produced from landfill or through anaerobic digestion of various organic wastes. (Front. Microbiol., 21 March 2017) The biggest argument against microbes being used as biofuels according to Science Daily is using “microbial factories” is to generate a large amount of fuel on a comparatively lower budget and greater efficiency as compared to the conventional fossil fuels. In other words, for replacing petrol with bioethanol, the latter should be cheaper, which could be a highly challenging task in terms of meeting the daily requirement. (Front. Microbiol., 21 March 2017) 

Watch this video:   https://youtu.be/JZjzQhFG6Ec

Our action plan is educating others on the negative factors of using fossil fuels, encouraging more agricultural methods, which will then lead to more support on using microbes as biofuel. We are starting with the younger generation and working our way through the age groups to bring awareness of biofuels to our community. Biology and science are quintessential topics to engage young people in and educating teachers on how they can deliver such curriculum is our first task. We’re starting with small groups at schools and educational centers by engaging them in activities related to microbes/microbiology. We are hopeful these activities excite them and spark an interest in learning more about microbes and biofuels. The activities we are discussing will be short, yet knowledgeable and will include the students so they have a better understanding of microorganisms. Once the activities are completed, we are providing the educators with more information they can use after our visit to continue teaching the students about microbiology. We have also sent out flyers to local community centers with more information on the "classes" we are offering. Lastly, we want to make this fun and safe for the students but share the importance of how microbes can be used as biofuels so that our planet can “live” longer.

Parents, you can start educating your child(ren) at home with these awesome virtual coloring pages!

Parents Start Here ---> https://www.amnh.org/explore/ology/microbiology/microbes-coloring-book--scavenger-hunt/online-coloring-bacteria

1. Kaur T. et al. (2020) Advances in Microbial Bioresources for Sustainable Biofuels

Production: Current Research and Future Challenges. In: Yadav A.N., Rastegari A.A., Yadav N., Gaur R. (eds) Biofuels Production – Sustainability and Advances in Microbial Bioresources. Biofuel and Biorefinery Technologies, vol 11. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-53933-7_17

2. Azimov, U.; Okoro, V.; Hernandez, H.H. Recent Progress and Trends in the Development of

Microbial Biofuels from Solid Waste—A Review. Energies 2021, 14, 6011. https://doi.org/10.3390/en14196011

3. Knight, M. (2008, June 13). Biofuels: What do the experts think? CNN. Retrieved February 26, 2022, from http://edition.cnn.com/2008/TECH/science/05/30/Biofuels.opinion/index.html

4. Washington University in St. Louis. (2021, November 3). Using microbes to make carbon-

neutral fuel. ScienceDaily. Retrieved February 26, 2022 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/11/211103082624.htm

5. Kumar, R., & Kumar, P. (1AD, January 1). Future microbial applications for Bioenergy Production: A perspective. Frontiers. Retrieved February 26, 2022, from https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2017.00450/full 

6. Fargioni, J., Hill, J., Plosky, S., and Hawthorne, P. (2008) Land clearing and biofuel carbon debt. Science 319: 1236-1238.