Biorefinery of microalgae – opportunities and constraints for different production scenarios

Abstract

In order to design economically feasible production processes it is necessary, as part of the biorefinery concept, to valorize all constituents of the microalgal biomass. Such an approach requires appropriate biorefinery side-process strategies to be adapted to production of the primary product. These strategies are particularly valid for microalgae, since the composition and amount of residual biomass can vary significantly depending on cell stoichiometry and cultivation techniques. This review investigates opportunities and constraints for biorefinery concepts in production scenarios for four different products from microalgae with different market volumes, including high- and medium-value products, whole cells and biodiesel. Approaches to close material and energy balances, as well as to adapt the biorefinery according to biological potential, process routes, and market needs are presented, which will further contribute to making the biorefinery concept a success.

Characterization of cell structural change, growth, lipid accumulation, and pigment profile of a novel oleaginous microalga, Vischeria stellata (Eustigmatophyceae), cultured with different initial nitrate supplies

“…The excessive supply of external synthetic nitrogen can lead to a significant reduction in net energy gain, as well as potential competition with other food producers for fertilizers, and increased production cost (Peccia et al 2013). A few microalgal species contain valuable metabolites other than lipids (Borowitzka 2013b;Harisko and Posten 2014). Current recognized natural co-products in Baoyan Gao and Jin Yang contributed equally to this work.…”

Can Microalgae Act as Source of Preservatives in Food Chain?

“…They possess some characteristics that make them much appreciated for industrial applications, such as the possibility of using residual nutrients or CO 2 from flue vents without the need for arable land [90]. These reasons justify that microalgae have been pointed out as the focus of economically feasible biorefinery processes [91,92].…”

Comparison of Nannochloropsis sp. cells disruption between hydrodynamic cavitation and conventional extraction

“…It makes uncompetitive in the market. So, finding the processes with low production costs become preponderant [11]. Among of these steps of processes, the lipid extraction process is the most costly process with the portion of 70 -80% of total cost [12].…”

“…Among of these steps of processes, the lipid extraction process is the most costly process with the portion of 70 -80% of total cost [12]. Lipid extractions were reported in some literatures [9,10,11]. It was starting from conventional to the advanced methods of extraction.…”