Current Bottlenecks and Challenges of the Microalgal Biorefinery. Issue 3 (March 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gifuni, Imma; Pollio, Antonino; Safi, Carl; Marzocchella, Antonio; Olivieri, Giuseppe
• Is Part Of: Trends in biotechnology. Volume 37:Issue 3(2019)
• Page Start: 242
• Page End: 252
• Publication Date: 2019-03
• Subjects: microalgae -- biorefinery -- co-accumulation -- thin photobioreactors -- cascade extraction; Biotechnology -- Periodicals; Biochemical engineering -- Periodicals; Genetic engineering -- Periodicals; Industrial microbiology -- Periodicals; 660.605
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2018.09.006
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0167-7799

Abstract

Abstract : Microalgae are increasingly considered as sources of renewable feedstocks for industrial production, and microalgae production now focuses on the multiproduct microalgal biorefinery. However, such a biorefinery presents several bottlenecks that are mainly associated with downstream processes. This reduced downstream efficiency results from unsolved problems related to the culture strategy for the accumulation of different products – the protein versus lipid dilemma – and the dilute nature of the microalgal culture. We identify new trends and propose promising solutions for realizing microalgal biorefineries at industrial scale. New perspectives and challenges are identified in protein properties and in the integration and cooptimization of culture and downstream processes. Highlights: The exploitation of a single microalgal product is unprofitable and generates undesirable waste, inspiring the biorefinery approach to microalgae production. Several thin culture systems are currently being proposed for intensifying the conversion of light into biomass. Downstream processing, and in particular the fractionation of microalgal components, remains the most expensive step limiting the practical implementation of microalgal biorefineries.