Alkane-based biodiesel is considered the next generation of biodiesel owing to its potential environmental benefits and the fact that it exhibits much higher specific caloric values than traditional biodiesel. However

the formidable obstacle impeding the commercialization of this cutting-edge fuel alternative lies in the cost associated with its production. In this study

an engineered strain

Escherichia coli

(

E. coli

) showcasing harmonized coexpression of a lipase (from

Thermomyces lanuginosus lipase

TL

L) and a fatty acid photodecarboxylase (from

Chlorella variabilis

Cv

FAP) was first constructed to transform triglycerides into alkanes. The potential of

E. coli

BL21 (DE3)/pRSFDuet-1-

TL

L-

Cv

FAP for alkane synthesis was evaluated with tripalmitin as a model substrate under various process conditions. Following a comprehensive examination of the reaction parameters

the scope of the biotransformation was expanded to ‘real’ substrates (vegetable oils). The results showed that bioderived oils can be transformed into alkanes with high yields (0.80-10.20 mmol·L

-1

) under mild conditions (35 ℃

pH 8.0

and 36 h) and blue light illumination. The selected processes were performed on an increased lab scale (up to 100 ml) with up to 24.77 mmol·L

-1

tripalmitin

leading to a yield of 18.89 mmol·L

-1

pentadecane. With the employment of a method for efficiently producing alka

nes under mild conditions and a simple procedure to isolate alkanes from the reaction system

the utilization of sustainable biomass as a fundamental feedstock emerges as the primary solution to lower the cost of alkane-based biodiesel. Thus

this study proposes a readily implementable and highly effective approach for alkane-based biodiesel production.