With the high interest in renewable resources, the field of algal biotechnology has undergone a huge leap in importance in recent years. The book Microalgae Biotechnology - Integration and Economy treats integrated approaches to bring the high potential of microalgae into application, accelerate the development of really working production processes and put finally the products on the market. Close interaction of biology and process engineering becomes visible in the described processes. The big impact of microalgal biotechnology on our future society is outlined as a desirable consequence of scientific progress. This book will allow protagonists in academia and industry as well as decision makers in industry and politics to get a clear picture of current possibilities and future trends in microalgal biotechnology.
Microalgae are a group of single-celled, photosynthetic microorganisms. They are of great commercial interest as they are capable of producing biomass (with a vast array of biochemical) using sunlight, CO2 and various other naturally occurring nutrients. Correctly utilised, they have the potential to provide sustainable supply of commercially relevant biochemicals, biofuels, nutraceuticals, food and feed supplements. The field of microalgal biotechnology is a fast-paced area of research, with technologies coming ever closer to commercial viability. Microalgal Biotechnology consolidates the latest research in the field together with a look at market potential and policy considerations. Highlighting the huge potential of microalgae as commercial commodities, it covers progress on various fronts including; bio-refinery and its technological challenges, genetic engineering, biosafety and regulatory issues, open and closed photo-bioreactors for biomass production, market space and sustainability for algal products. This book is a useful resource for researchers, academicians, postgraduate students, industries, policy makers and anyone interested in the status and future possibilities of microalgae commercialisation.
The Handbook of Microalgae-based Processes and Products provides a complete overview of all aspects involved in the production and utilization of microalgae resources at commercial scale. Divided into four parts (fundamentals, microalgae-based processes, microalgae-based products, and engineering approaches applied to microalgal processes and products), the book explores the microbiology and metabolic aspects of microalgae, microalgal production systems, wastewater treatment based in microalgae, CO2 capture using microalgae, microalgae harvesting techniques, and extraction and purification of biomolecules from microalgae. It covers the largest number of microalgal products of commercial relevance, including biogas, biodiesel, bioethanol, biohydrogen, single-cell protein, single-cell oil, biofertilizers, pigments, polyunsaturated fatty acids, bioactive proteins, peptides and amino acids, bioactive polysaccharides, sterols, bioplastics, UV-screening compounds, and volatile organic compounds. Moreover, it presents and discusses the available engineering tools applied to microalgae biotechnology, such as process integration, process intensification, and techno-economic analysis applied to microalgal processes and products, microalgal biorefineries, life cycle assessment, and exergy analysis of microalgae-based processes and products. The coverage of a broad range of potential microalgae processes and products in a single volume makes this handbook an indispensable reference for engineering researchers in academia and industry in the fields of bioenergy, sustainable development, and high-value compounds from biomass, as well as graduate students exploring those areas. Engineering professionals in bio-based industries will also find valuable information here when planning or implementing the use of microalgal technologies. Covers theoretical background information and results of recent research. Discusses all commercially relevant microalgae-based processes and products. Explores the main emerging engineering tools applied to microalgae processes, including techno-economic analysis, process integration, process intensification, life cycle assessment, and exergy analyses.
Microalgae have been proposed as the potential source for a wide range of products, ranging from fine chemicals and pharmaceuticals to foods and feeds and as a biofuel source. However, only a few are successful on an industrial scale due to the high cost associated with the production of microalgae biomass. This chapter presents an economic analysis of various processes based on microalgae: from high-value products like astaxanthin to low-value products like biofuels. The target is to identify major factors contributing to production costs as a tool for the improvement of existing processes but also to assist in the design of new, more reliable processes. The results of our analysis demonstrate that for the production of high-value compounds, high-energy-demanding processes can be carried out, including with low productivity, whereas for the production of low-value compounds it is mandatory to minimize power consumption and improve productivity. More precisely, biomass productivity is the major factor impacting the unit production cost, whatever the product; therefore, to optimize the productivity of microalgae production systems, it is mandatory to improve the economic viability of microalgae-based processes.
Microalgae are a valuable resource of carbon materials that may be used in biofuels, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and health supplements. There are, however, many challenges in the microalgae production process, such as mass cultivation, strain improvement, biomass disruption, and reprocessing of nutrients and water that have been encumbering the microalgal industry. Microalgal biotechnology has the capability to introduce remarkable breakthroughs and innovations. This volume highlights current advancements in the field of microalgal biotechnology. The key features of the book: • Presents the role of microalgae in various industries, including food, agriculture, aquaculture, biofuel, and metabolites • Shows the historical and prospective uses of microalgae elements for economic and ecological benefits • Explains the integrated technologies for massive production of microalgae-derived products • Includes industrial case studies that illustrate sustainable production of microalgae products • Discusses current developments and advances in microalgae bioprocessing
In this book, researchers and practitioners working in the field present the major promises of algae biotechnology and they critically discuss the challenges arising from applications. Based on this assessment, the authors explore the great scientific, industrial and economic potential opened up by algae biotechnology. The first part of the book presents recent developments in key enabling technologies, which are the driving force to unleash the enormous potential of algae biotechnology. The second part of the book focuses on how practical applications of algae biotechnology may provide new solutions to some of the grand challenges of the 21st century. Algae offer great potential to support the building of a bio-based economy and they can contribute new solutions to some of the grand challenges of the 21st century. Despite significant progress, algae biotechnology is yet far from fulfilling its potential. How to unleash this enormous potential is the challenge that the own field is facing. New cultivation technologies and bioprocess engineering allow for optimization of the operation strategy of state-of the art industrial-scale production systems and they reduce the production costs. Parallel to this, new molecular technologies for genetic and metabolic engineering of (micro)algae develop quickly. The optimization of existing biochemical pathways or the introduction of pathway components makes high-yield production of specific metabolites possible. Novel screening technologies including high-throughput technologies enables testing of extremely large numbers of samples and, thus, allow for large scale modelling of biomolecular processes, which would have not been possible in the past. Moreover, profitable production can demand for integrated biorefining, which combines consecutive processes and various feedstocks to produce both transportation fuel, electric energy and valuable chemicals.
Algae are some of the fastest growing organisms in the world, with up to 90% of their weight made up from carbohydrate, protein and oil. As well as these macromolecules, microalgae are also rich in other high-value compounds, such as vitamins, pigments, and biologically active compounds, All these compounds can be extracted for use by the cosmetics, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and food industries, and the algae itself can be used for feeding of livestock, in particular fish, where on-going research is dedicated to increasing the percentage of fish and shellfish feed not derived from fish meal. Microalgae are also applied to wastewater bioremediation and carbon capture from industrial flue gases, and can be used as organic fertilizer. So far, only a few species of microalgae, including cyanobacteria, are under mass cultivation. The potential for expansion is enormous, considering the existing hundreds of thousands of species and subspecies, in which a large gene-pool offers a significant potential for many new producers. Completely revised, updated and expanded, and with the inclusion of new Editor, Qiang Hu of Arizona State University, the second edition of this extremely important book contains 37 chapters. Nineteen of these chapters are written by new authors, introducing many advanced and emerging technologies and applications such as novel photobioreactors, mass cultivation of oil-bearing microalgae for biofuels, exploration of naturally occurring and genetically engineered microalgae as cell factories for high-value chemicals, and techno-economic analysis of microalgal mass culture. This excellent new edition also contains details of the biology and large-scale culture of several economically important and newly-exploited microalgae, including Botryococcus, Chlamydomonas, Nannochloropsis, Nostoc, Chlorella, Spirulina, Haematococcus, and Dunaniella species/strains. Edited by Amos Richmond and Qiang Hu, each with a huge wealth of experience in microalgae, its culture, and biotechnology, and drawing together contributions from experts around the globe, this thorough and comprehensive new edition is an essential purchase for all those involved with microalgae, their culture, processing and use. Biotechnologists, bioengineers, phycologists, pharmaceutical, biofuel and fish-feed industry personnel and biological scientists and students will all find a vast amount of cutting-edge information within this Second Edition. Libraries in all universities where biological sciences, biotechnology and aquaculture are studied and taught should all have copies of this landmark new edition on their shelves.
Microalgae are a particularly interesting source of products that range from currently marketed human nutritionals and food ingredients, to potential sources of biofuels and animal feeds. Rapid advances in technology and commercial development are taking place worldwide. Importantly, algal cultivation does not compete with agriculture for land, water, and in some cases, fertilizer resources. Microalgal Production for Biomass and High-Value Products covers the field from a variety of perspectives with 14 chapters contributed by recognized academic experts and industrial practitioners. The book presents the latest technologies and innovations in algal biomass production, from cultivation in open ponds and photobioreactors, to strain selection, synthetic biology, pest control, harvesting, and processing. It explores novel algal products and addresses key issues, including markets, supply chains, business strategies, legal issues, current products, and future prospects. This book brings together the latest advances of interest to those already working in the field while providing an introduction to those beginning to learn about the promise of microalgae as a sustainable source of both specialty and commodity products. It gives stimulating overviews from many different perspectives that describe how laboratory and applied research are creating advances in commercial microalgae production. It also addresses the still many open questions and challenges in this field.
"Microalgae Biotechnology for Food, Health and High Value Products” presents the latest technological innovations in microalgae production, market status of algal biomass-based products, and future prospects for microalgal applications. It provides stimulating overviews from different perspectives of application that demonstrate how rapidly the commercial production of microalgae-based food, health and high value products is advancing. It also addresses a range of open questions and challenges in this field. The book highlights the latest advances of interest to those already working in the field, while providing a comprehensive overview for those readers just beginning to learn about the promise of microalgae as a sustainable source of both specialty and commercial products. It offers a valuable asset for commercial algae producers, algae product developers, scientific researchers and students who are dedicated to the advancement of microalgae biotechnology for applications in health, diet, nutrition, cosmetics, biomaterials etc.
Handbook of Microalgae: Biotechnology Advances offers complete coverage of marine microalgae, including biology, production techniques, biotechnological applications, economic perspectives of applications, and environmental effects of marine microalgae blooms. With contributions from world experts, Handbook of Microalgae: Biotechnology Advances focuses on microalgae from an organism perspective to offer a complete picture from evolution to biofuel. Focuses on a comprehensive approach from an organism point of view Contains full coverage of all aspects of microalgae from biology through biotechnological and biomedical applications Includes biological properties of commercial algal species Provides microalgae screening and identification methods, culturing methods and new aspects of processing
