Biodiesel production from genetically engineered microalgae: Future of bioenergy in Iran

Current biomass sources for energy production in Iran include sewerage as well as agricultural, animal, food industry and municipal solid wastes, and are anticipated to account for about 14% of national energy consumption in near future. However, due to the considerable progress made in genetic engineering of various plants in Iran during the last decade and the great potentials of microalgae for biofuel production, these photosynthetic organisms could be nominated as the future source of bioenergy in Iran. An overview of status of bioenergy in the world and Iran as well as the potential and utilization of biomass in Iran is presented. The possibilities of increasing biofuel production through microalgal genetic engineering and the progress made so far are discussed. Biodiesel in the Iran and its future prospective is also reviewed, emphasizing the promising role of microalgae.