Journal Article Review Epublish 70 citations
PubMed: 36009773 DOI: 10.3390/biology11081146
Microalgae-Based Biorefineries: Challenges and Future Trends to Produce Carbohydrate Enriched Biomass, High-Added Value Products and Bioactive Compounds.
Biology (Basel) 11(8)
Authors: Eugenia J Olguín, Gloria Sánchez-Galván, Imilla I Arias-Olguín, Francisco J Melo, Ricardo E González-Portela, Lourdes Cruz, Roberto De Philippis, Alessandra Adessi
Affiliations
- Environmental Biotechnology Group, Biotechnological Management of Resources Network, Institute of Ecology (INECOL), Xalapa, Veracruz 91073, Mexico.
- International Centre for Clean Technologies and Sustainable Development, (CITELDES, A.C.), Xalapa, Veracruz 91190, Mexico.
- Department of Agriculture Food Environment & Forestry (DAGRI), University of Florence, 50144 Florence, Italy.
Abstract
Microalgae have demonstrated a large potential in biotechnology as a source of various macromolecules (proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids) and high-added value products (pigments, poly-unsaturated fatty acids, peptides, exo-polysaccharides, etc.). The production of biomass at a large scale becomes more economically feasible when it is part of a biorefinery designed within the circular economy concept. Thus, the aim of this critical review is to highlight and discuss challenges and future trends related to the multi-product microalgae-based biorefineries, including both phototrophic and mixotrophic cultures treating wastewater and the recovery of biomass as a source of valuable macromolecules and high-added and low-value products (biofertilizers and biostimulants). The therapeutic properties of some microalgae-bioactive compounds are also discussed. Novel trends such as the screening of species for antimicrobial compounds, the production of bioplastics using wastewater, the circular economy strategy, and the need for more Life Cycle Assessment studies (LCA) are suggested as some of the future research lines.
MeSH
Microalgae, Biomass, Carbohydrates
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