Researchers identify kelp as a potentially viable biofuel

Harvesting the kelp in July when carbohydrate levels are at their highest would reportedly ensure optimal sugar release for biofuel production.

‘The storage carbohydrate and soluble sugars get converted into ethanol in the fermentation process, so we need as much as possible,’ said Dr Jessica Adams, a lead researcher at Aberystwyth University. ‘Metals can inhibit the yeast too so we also want these to be as low as possible.’

Collecting monthly samples of kelp from the Welsh coast, researchers used chemical analysis to assess the seasonal variability. Their results, which will be presented at the Society for Experimental Biology Annual Conference in Glasgow today, showed that the best month for biofuel harvest was in July when the kelp contained the highest proportions of carbohydrate and the lowest metal content.

Kelp can be converted to biofuels in different ways, including fermentation or anaerobic digestion producing ethanol and methane or pyrolysis, which produces bio-oil. The chemical composition of the seaweed is important to both of these processes.