The increased industrialization and motorization has led to a steep rise for the demand of
petroleum products. Petroleum based fuels are obtained from limited reserves. It is estimated
that the known crude oil reserves could be depleted in less than 50 years at the present rate
of consumption. Hence it is necessary to look for alternative fuels. An entire branch of
biotechnology referred to as white biotechnology centers on the bio production of fuels and
chemicals from renewable sources. About 90% of the current biofuel market is represented by
biodiesel and bioethanol. Biodiesel is an efficient non toxic biodegradable and clean burning
fuel alternative to petroleum fuels which runs in unmodified diesel engines. This paper reviews
approaches to microbial synthesis of biodiesel focusing on the role of synthetic biology as an
enabling technology in the design of optimal cell factories.
