Microalgal biotechnology: biofuels and bioproducts
Paniagua-Michel, J.D.J.; Morales-Guerrero, E.; Olmos Soto, J. (2015). Microalgal biotechnology: biofuels and bioproducts, in: Kim, S.-K. Springer handbook of marine biotechnology. pp. 1355-1370. https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-53971-8_62
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| Auteurs | | Top |
- Paniagua-Michel, J.D.J.
- Morales-Guerrero, E.
- Olmos Soto, J.
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| Abstract |
In the twenty-first century, energy is considered as the most important issue for human sustainability. The world’s dependence on unsustainable fossil fuels (almost 90%), and the increasing population demand new sources of energy for sustainable human activities. Algae, and particularly microalgae have nowadays become of enormous importance as a new potential source of feedstock for renewable bioenergy production. As photosynthetic microorganisms, microalgae may potentially be produced as carbon neutral and can be produced on non-arable land and cultured in marine and wastewater effluents. Furthermore, microalgae can be used to produce a range of products such as protein-rich animal feed in aquaculture, high-value products, viz, polyunsaturated fatty acids, bioactive and functional pigments and natural dyes, health foods, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. In this chapter, an update of the advances in microalgal biotechnology is presented as a new biomass for the potential development of biofuels, and as a realistic source of highly valuable molecules of industrial interest. The potential to harness endogenous carbon storage compounds, triacylglyceride (TAG s) and starch, as products of photosynthesis, including the photoproduction of hydrogen, can contribute to diversify the sources and yields of feedstocks for biofuel production. Even if the production of microalgae for biofuels is highly promissory and clearly has potential for contributing to environmental, social, and economic sustainability, presently this alternative is unsustainable. Definitely, the combination of biofuel production by microalgal biotechnology with co-products may contribute to the sustainability of biofuels, a condition with null or less impact on natural resources and biodiversity. The integration of all the components of the uses of microalgae, i. e., high-value compounds, aquaculture, and bioremediation coupled to the production of biofuels will play an important role in the near future to make the production of biofuels from microalgae sustainable. The integration of genomics, metabolic engineering, nanotechnology, and other areas to the aforementioned issues shall lead to a wide range of benefits for the tasks demanded by the forthcoming bioenergy industries. |
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