Abstracts / Journal of Biotechnology 136S (2008) S6S15

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[Bmim][FeCl4 ] rich phase was easily separated under an external magnetic eld. Ultrasonic atomization was also applied to recover ILs from ILs/water mixture. [Bmim][BF4 ] was successfully recovered with more than 95% recovery from 50% [Bmim][BF4 ] aqueous solution after ultrasonic atomization of the mixture. Microwave irradiation was also applied to recover a range of ILs from ILs/water mixture. All ILs tested were recovered from the mixture with 100% recovery in much shorter time than conventional distillation method.

tivity of >20 g dry wt m2 day1 (Moheimani and Borowitzka, 2006). This presentation considers the present state of the art and future developments in saline algae strain development, culture systems (open ponds vs. closed photobioreactors), productivity and reliability of current algae cultures, harvesting technologies and methods of producing biodiesel or bioethanol from algal biomass. Aspects of the economics of the process will also be discussed. References
Borowitzka, M.A., 1988. Fats, oils and hydrocarbons. In: Borowitzka, M.A., Borowitzka, L.J. (Eds.), Micro-algal Biotechnology. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp. 257287. Borowitzka, M.A., 1999. Economic evaluation of microalgal processes and products. In: Cohen, Z. (Ed.), Chemicals from Microalgae. Taylor & Francis, London, pp. 387409. Moheimani, N.R., Borowitzka, M.A., 2006. The long-term culture of the coccolithophorid Pleurochrysis carterae (Haptophyta) in outdoor raceway ponds. J. Appl. Phycol. 18, 703712.

References
Freemantle, M., 1998. Designer solventsionic liquids may boost clean technology development. Chem. Eng. News 76, 3237. Sheldon, R.A., Madeira Lau, R., Sorgedrager, M.J., van Rantwijk, F., Seddon, K.R., 2002. Biocatalysis in ionic liquids. Green Chem. 4, 147151.

doi:10.1016/j.jbiotec.2008.07.1792 KN-038

doi:10.1016/j.jbiotec.2008.07.1793 Marine and halophilic algae for the production of biofuels Michael A. Borowitzka Algae and Seagrass Research Group, School of Biological Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, 6150 Western Australia, Australia E-mail address: M.Borowitzka@murdoch.edu.au. Signicant increases in crude oil prices in recent years, together with the recognition of the need to reduce CO2 emissions have regenerated interest in algae as a possible source of renewable biofuels such as biodiesel, hydrogen and ethanol. Compared to other bioenergy crops (e.g. rapeseed, canola, peanut, oil palm, jatropha) several species of algae have higher areal productivities, higher oil content and can grow in saline waters. These apparently very favorable properties recently have generated a frenzy of interest and activities in the eld of energy production using algae, both microalgae and seaweeds. The idea of using algae to produce fuels is over 60 years old (Borowitzka, 1988), and over the last 30 years there has been extensive research on algal biofuels production and the use of algae for CO2 bioremediation. The challenge has been, and continues to be, to produce algae biofuel economically. All current commercial algae production is for high value products with the algal biomass valued in excess of approximately US$ 10 kg1 (Borowitzka, 1999). For biofuel production the algae biomass (with a lipid content of about 3040% of dry weight) needs to be produced at a cost of around US$ 1.0 or less per kilogram. In order to achieve this ambitious goal there is the need for year-round reliable high productivity algal culture and all factors (e.g. algae strains, algae culture, harvesting and further downstream processing) need to be optimized and efciently integrated. Since the energy source for the production of the algal biomass is sunlight (i.e. the algae are converting solar energy to chemical energy), the most likely geographical areas where algae biofuel production may become a reality are those with high insolation for the whole year. Furthermore, fresh water is generally a major limiting resource around the globe, and is essential for the production of food crops meaning that algae able to grow in saline water are critical for the sustainable production of biofuels so as not to compete with food crops. We have isolated several species of microalgae able to grow in saline waters ranging from about seawater (3% NaCl) to about 11% NaCl whilst maintaining a high lipid productivity. In long-term experiments with one species, Pleurochrysis carterae, we have demonstrated an average annual producKN-049 Microsoft technology computing initiatives Jian Wang Microsoft Research Asia, Beijing, China As modern science increasingly relies on integrated information technologies to collect, process, and analyze complex data, we believe that the Computer Science research community and Microsoft technologies can assist scientists make breakthrough discoveries. Microsoft is committed to collaborating with the global scientic community to nd solutions for some of the toughest challenges facing humanity, in diverse disciplines like life sciences, environmental science, and engineering. We understand the critical connection between science and computing, and the importance of developing software solutions that can support and enhance scientic research processes. The increase in performance, functionality, and applications of Microsoft new high performance computing platform will make it much easier for engineers and scientists to focus on their research, rather than on their research infrastructure. In the presentation, we will be highlighting technologies that will support the scientic community in new and creative ways. Collaboration is the proven key to success. There is much work to do, and there are many problems to solve to nd global solutions that can change the world. doi:10.1016/j.jbiotec.2008.07.1794 KN-056 Industrial biotechnology in China: Past, present, and future Ouyang Pingkai , Li Zhenjiang China National Research Centre of Biochemical Technology, Nanjing University of Technology, Nanjing 210009, China E-mail address: ouyangpk@njut.edu.cn (P. Ouyang). In the evolution of the life and biosphere on the earth, photosynthesis (Nathan, 2007) is one of the key elements, in which biocatalysis and biotransformation are the fundamental process (Guillermo and Rachel, 2007). As the predominant resultant of photosynthesis and sequestration of carbon dioxide, biomass is the mainstay of