ABSTRACT
Sunlight is the most abundant energy source for the planet earth [ 1]: in 1 h, Earth receives the amount of energy needed by mankind in 1 year. Only photosynthetic organisms, however, are able to use solar energy, trapping solar energy and converting it in highly valuable energetic compounds as biomass. Photosynthesis can hence be considered as one of the cornerstone biological processes in the biosphere, since life on earth, directly or indirectly, depends on it. Modern civilization has a further reason to cherish photosynthesis as the energy stored in fossil fuels originates from sunlight captured by plants during the Carboniferous period. The careless use of fossil energy reserves is posing severe problems to the well-being of mankind’s future generations [ 2].
