the present invention to provides a method for the conversion of biomass comprising cellulosic or carbohydrate polymers , into lipids useful for the production of biofuels . the method is achieved by providing the biomass to a culture of lipogenic zooplankton in a contained space , whereby the zooplankton consume the biomass , thereby converting the biomass to zooplankton derived biomass with increased lipid content . the zooplankton derived biomass is collected , lipids are extracted , and the lipids are converted to fuel through methods known in the art .