THERMODYNAMIC APPROACH TO MODELING BIOFUELS PRODUCTION FROM MICROALGAE AND CYANOBACTERIA: THE ROLE OF ELECTROCHEMICAL POTENTIAL

Biofuels from 3rd-generation feed-stocks like microalgae and cyanobacteria are considered possible replacements of fossil fuels and a means to reduce emissions of the greenhouse gas CO2. There is a need to understand how to control microbial growth by manipulating environmental conditions to increase photosynthetic biofuel productivity and/or reduce manufacturing costs. A novel, non-equilibrium, bio-thermodynamic-based model was developed here to fundamentally link electrochemical potential, membrane electric potential, trans-membrane pH gradient, and external temperature with microbial proliferation and bio-system behaviour.