Japanese scientists investigating algae biofuels

As research into alternative energy has grown, Japan is now looking to replace crude oil.

Makoto Watanabe, a phycologist and professor at the University of Tsukuba's Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, believes algae is the best alternative to algae.

Watanabe works with two species of microalgae, the photosynthetic Botryococcus braunii, and Aurantiochytrium, which feeds on organic matter and can grow without light. Both microalgae produce oil that is relatively compatible with existing energy infrastructure.

'This research development is about how much lower you can drive production costs,' says Tomohiro Fujita, head of Kanagawa-based Neo Morgan Laboratory, which researches how to improve algal strains.

In addition to this research, Neo Morgan has identified a more efficient incubation system that enables the modified algae to be collected using a simple straining method, which in turn keeps production costs down.

Regulations and Japan's limited amount of land poses problems for the sector however, as the abundant farmland is protected for agricultural use.

Watanabe believes that Japan should advance the algae oil industry by developing uses for its end product rather than concentrating solely on cutting costs.