Comprehensive insights into conversion of microalgae to feed, food, and biofuels: Current status and key challenges towards implementation of sustainable biorefineries
Author | Almomani, Fares |
Author | Hosseinzadeh-Bandbafha, Homa |
Author | Aghbashlo, Mortaza |
Author | Omar, Abdullah |
Author | Joo, Sang-Woo |
Author | Vasseghian, Yasser |
Author | Karimi-Maleh, Hassan |
Author | Shiung Lam, Su |
Author | Tabatabaei, Meisam |
Author | Rezania, Shahabaldin |
Available date | 2023-06-25T08:25:36Z |
Publication Date | 2023 |
Publication Name | Chemical Engineering Journal |
Resource | Scopus |
Abstract | Microalgae have been promoted as important feedstocks for producing biofuels and bioproducts. However, their production on a large scale would require a large amount of water and nutrients. Considering the importance of food security and the high economic value of microalgal biomass, food and feed applications should be prioritized if microalgae are grown using conventional water resources. Nevertheless, microalgae can also be grown in nutrient-rich wastewater streams while producing valuable biomass and treating harmful effluents. Because of health issues, food and feed applications of microalgal biomass grown using waste resources are not allowed; hence, it can be used as a feedstock for biofuel production. In line with that, this review first briefly discusses the applications of microalgae in food, feed, and wastewater treatment and then summarizes the efforts put into utilizing microalgal biomass to produce biofuels through different pathways. These technologies, including thermochemical (200–1300 °C), biochemical (25–55 °C), and chemical (25–200 °C) conversion methods, are critically discussed. The pros and cons of using different microalgal conversion technologies are outlined to identify possible future directions for the field. Different microalgal biomass harvesting methods are also reviewed, and the process conditions are summarized. Parameters affecting technology selection, such as energy costs, reaction time, and technological sophistication, are also explored and presented. In general, microalgal biofuels still face many challenges in replacing traditional fossil fuels. Future work should focus on maximizing the yield and quality of microalgal biofuels while enhancing their economic viability. |
Sponsor | The authors acknowledge the support provided by Qatar University grant No QUCG-CENG-21/22-3. This work was supported by the financial support from the Korea Environment Industry & Technology Institute (KEITI) through Technology Development Project for Safety Management of Household Chemical Product Program and Advanced Technology Development Project for Predicting and Preventing Chemical Accidents, funded by Korea Ministry of Environment (MOE) (2020002970005, 1485018696), Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy of Korea [grant number 20010276] and National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) funded by the Korean government (MSIT) (nos. 2020R1A5A1018052 and 2022R1A2C2011252). This work was also supported by the Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia, under the Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HICoE), Institute of Tropical Aquaculture and Fisheries program (Vot 63933 & 56051, UMT/CRIM/2-2/5 Jilid 2(10)) for supporting Prof Lam to perform this work. |
Language | en |
Publisher | Elsevier |
Subject | Bioenergy Biofuel Food security Microalgae Thermochemical conversion Wastewater treatment |
Type | Article |
Volume Number | 455 |
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