Sea dwelling cellulose producer researched for biofuels

Scientists in Norway claims a sea dwelling species maybe another avenue towards creating sustainable biofuel for transportation.

Tunicates, a yellow-green organism that sucks bacteria and other microorganisms through one end before turning it into purified water at the other, has been subject to tests by researchers at the University of Bergen.

The researchers believe tunicates are the only living thing to produce cellulose, making them viable as bioethanol feedstock. They are also rich in omega-3 fatty acids meaning a type of fish food could be made as a by-product.

Tunicates are not desired by any predators in the wild thus making them an abundant source of potential energy.

Project manager Christofer Troedsson has been quoted as saying the biggest challenge now is ‘cultivating enough biomass per square metre to make operations profitable’.