Japan finds countless uses of algae in food, face cream and Jet fuel

Tokyo, April 3: Japanese firm called Euglena has come up with a breakthrough science of rare algae uses in food, cosmetics and jet fuel. The tiny organism consist enough potential to produce 33,000 gallons of jet fuel. Euglena's founder Mitsuru Izumo was the first one to come across the said algae.

In fact, the Japanese firm's name Euglena comes from a type of microalgae. The algae that Euglena uses is first turned into powder for the production of smoothies, supplements and cosmetics. Euglena is setting up a test facility in Yokohoma to study the algae more closely.

The algae extract will be blended with the regular jet fuel and will still provide enough for the limited number of



flights. By 2020, Euglena will open a second refinery to bring down the cost of carbon-neutral biofuel.

Izumo came across the algae first in Bangladesh during his 1998 visit to help starving children fight malnutrition. He was inspired by a story in Manga comic to find a 'magic bean' which he did not find but discovered the microscopic algae which could solve problems concerning many areas.

His company, Euglena is now valued at $930mllion on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. The researchers in Euglena also dream of powering the algae to a trip to Mars and feed the astronauts all the way.

This Japanese firm has been cultivating a type of algae that it hopes could be used to power aircraft.