Genetic improvement of biofuel plants: recent progress and patents.
Due to depleting reserves of fossil fuels, political uncertainties, increase in demand of energy needs and growing concerns of environmental effects, bioenergy as an alternative source of energy needs had taken centre stage globally. In this report, we review the progress made in lignocellulose, cellulose and fermentation based biofuels in addition to tree borne oil seeds. Algae as a source of feedstock for the biofuel has also been reviewed. Recent efforts in genome sequencing of biofuel crops and molecular breeding approaches have increased our understanding towards crop improvement of major feedstocks. Besides, patenting trends in bioenergy sector were assessed by patent landscape analysis. The results showed an increasing trend in published patents during the last decade which is maximum during 2011. A conceptual framework of "transgenesis in biofuels to industrial application" was developed based on the patent analytics viz., International Patent Classification (IPC) analysis and Theme Maps. A detailed claim analysis based on the conceptual framework assessed the patenting trends that provided an exhaustive dimension of the technology. The study emphasizes the current thrust in bioenergy sector by various public and private institutions to expedite the process of biofuel production.
Natural Remedies Pvt. Ltd, Plot No. 5B, Veerasandra Industrial Area, 19th K. M. Stone, Electronic City (Post), Hosur Road, Bangalore-560 100. India. thangirala@yahoo.co.uk
T Sudhakar
TS
Johnson
Jyothi
J
Badri
R Kalpana
RK
Sastry
Anshul
A
Shrivastava
P B Kavi
PB
Kishor
M
M
Sujatha
D056804:Biofuels; D018533:Biomass; D002482:Cellulose; D008031:Lignin; D008697:Methane / Q000378:metabolism; D058086:Microalgae / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D010330:Patents as Topic; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000378:metabolism; D018521:Plant Physiological Phenomena / Q000235:genetics*; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified; D012984:Software
D056804:Biofuels; D010938:Plant Oils; C036909:lignocellulose; D002482:Cellulose; D008031:Lignin; D008697:Methane