Jan. 3--Continental Airlines next week could become the first U.S. airline to demonstrate passenger jets can fly on a special blend of algae, the jatropha weed and jet fuel.

Earlier this week, Air New Zealand successfully conducted a similar experiment and later this month Japan Airlines plans to conduct its own biofuels test flight.

The hope is that wider use of biofuels will reduce the airline industry's reliance on traditional jet fuel and reduce carbon emissions.

Jatropha is a nonedible plant that produces seeds with an oil content of 37â??â??percent that can be burned as fuel without being refined, according to the Web site Jatropha World.

The Continental flight will take place from Houston on Wednesday and carry no passengers. Test pilots of the Boeing 737-800 using CFM International engines will run the concoction through the No. 2, or right engine.

The pilots will conduct accelerations, decelerations, in-flight engine shutdown and restart and other maneuvers, both normal and otherwise, according to the Houston-based carrier.