Manila: A team of scientists from the University of the Philippines has found that yeast collected from the Mount Makiling Forest Reserve (MMFR) could become a sustainable source of biodiesel, phistar Global reported.
The study, published in the Journal of Applied Biology and Biotechnology and released by the UP Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs, highlights how natural resources can be used to create renewable energy.
Oleaginous yeasts are a type of microorganism that can store large amounts of fat inside their cells. These fats can be converted into biodiesel, providing an eco-friendly alternative to fossil fuels.
Researchers gathered yeast samples from Mount Makiling and identified several strains with high fat content. Some strains showed very high lipid accumulation, making them strong candidates for biodiesel production. The team successfully converted these lipids into biodiesel, confirming their potential as a renewable fuel source.
The study also emphasizes the value of protecting biodiversity. Scientists pointed out that Mount Makiling’s unique ecosystem contains many biological resources that could help support sustainable development.
“Using microbial sources for biodiesel, instead of crops like soybean or palm oil, avoids large-scale farming, heavy fertilizer use, land conversion, and pesticide use,” the researchers said. They added that this approach is especially important as the world seeks solutions to climate change and renewable energy needs.
The research highlights a step toward greener energy, showing that yeast from Mount Makiling could play a key role in producing biodiesel as a cleaner alternative to petroleum diesel.
The study was conducted by Irene Pajares, Princess Requiso, Lorenzo Fabro Jr., Kristine Rose Ramos, and Asuncion Raymundo, representing the National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology and the Institute of Biological Sciences at UP Los Baños and UP Manila.
