By Rebecca Bailey
FAPC Communications Services Graduate Assistant

(Stillwater, Okla. – April 10, 2013) An algae research proposal from Oklahoma State University’s Robert M. Kerr Food & Agricultural Products Center was ranked No. 1 of 28 plant-related research projects, resulting in $100,000 in funding from the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science & Technology.

The OCAST Plant Science Research program aims to promote plant research within Oklahoma. In doing so, the program provides funding to multiple projects each year.  This year, the program selected a total of five projects to receive funding, four of which are OSU projects.

Nurhan Dunford, FAPC oil/oilseed specialist, said she is proud her project was selected.

“I was pleased to hear our proposal was approved for funding,” Dunford said. “Most importantly, I was thrilled to hear that our project was ranked No. 1 among 28 other projects. I think this clearly shows the importance of this project for our state.”

Dunford’s project will evaluate the biomass and algal oil production potential of microalgae strains native to Oklahoma.

“Plants that are efficient at converting the solar energy into chemical energy have a better chance of being a viable feedstock for biofuels and other bioproducts,” Dunford said. “Various types of algae are among the most efficient plants to convert solar energy to chemical energy.”

This specific project will screen 18 Oklahoma-native microalgae strains for their potential to grow in wastewater, produce algal biomass, oil and other high-value compounds, in addition to cleaning up wastewater, Dunford said.

“Considering the scarcity of fresh water resources, my research group focuses on growing algae on wastewater,” Dunford said. “During algae growth, oxygen is produced and carbon dioxide, which is a greenhouse gas, is sequestered and excess nutrients in wastewater are removed. Our ongoing research has already demonstrated that some algae strains grow very well in swine lagoon wastewater.”

This research is significant because it creates a future for more proficient algal systems and addresses the possibilities of utilizing algae as biofuel feedstocks.

“Strain selection and evaluation is one of the critical steps in designing high efficiency algal systems,” Dunford said. “There are thousands of strains of algae that are being considered as biofuel feedstocks in the United States.”

Dunford said there are a number of factors that make Oklahoma a suitable location to conduct algae research.

“According to a report released by U.S. Department of Energy, the southern U.S. states have substantial potential to establish high productivity algal production systems,” Dunford said.  “Oklahoma is identified as one of these states based on the availability of high solar radiation, water resources and suitable land and climate for microalgae cultivation.”

To receive this funding, Dunford had to go through a rigorous process to acquire approval.

“I wrote an extensive research proposal explaining what I wanted to do and how I would run the tests,” Dunford said. “The proposal was reviewed and ranked by external reviewers who are experts in the field, and then the OCAST Board approved the funding.”

The first half of the funding will be administered in June of this year, with the remaining funding being issued in June 2014.

Dunford said she has high hopes for what the results of this funding will generate.

“I expect that OCAST funding will help us attract larger industry and federal government research grants for our algae research,” Dunford said.  “My ultimate goal is to find a commercial partner to help us develop prototypes and eventually commercialize algal biomass and oil-based products.”

For more information about this project, please contact Dunford at nurhan.dunford@okstate.edu or 405-744-6071.

- ### -

Oklahoma State University is a modern land-grant system of interdisciplinary programs that prepares students for success. OSU is America’s Brightest Orange. Through leadership and service, OSU is preparing students for a bright future and building a brighter world for all. As Oklahoma’s only university with a statewide presence, OSU improves the lives of people in Oklahoma, the nation and the world through integrated, high-quality teaching, research and outreach. OSU has more than 36,000 students across its five-campus system and more than 24,000 on its combined Stillwater and Tulsa campuses, with students from all 50 states and around 120 nations. Established in 1890, OSU has graduated more than 245,000 students to serve Oklahoma, the nation and the world.