EU Project of LIFE Programme ‘Algae Service for LIFE’ Develops Ecologicaly Sustainable Bioproducts from Freshwater Cyanobacteria and Macroalgae Biomas

Abstract

Abstract‘Algae Service for LIFE’, the project supported by the European Union, seeks to promote best practices in ecological service and the circular economy by implementing innovative complex system of three interlinked elements: i) prototypes for harvesting of cyanobacteria and macroalgae biomass; ii) distant methods for surveying of the blooms and defining hot-spots of algal agglomerations; and iii) restitution of harvesting costs by redesigning of waste algal biomass into valuable products. The current paper describes application of algal biomass part of the project by providing actions in redesigning of harvested waste biomass of cyanobacteria and macroalgae into potential valuable products for sustainable management and recycling of environmental resources. It also highlights the socio-economic aspects of the project and added value of the project for the European Union.

Microalgae Water Bioremediation: Trends and Hot Topics

“…Nevertheless, cost efficacy of commercialization is still an issue and essential to attract investors to up-scale production, so the technology is still being developed in terms of research and development [46]. Current research lines focus on four strategic alignments: feedstock, process, products, and market uptake [30,47].…”

“…This problem should be handled through a multi-stakeholder cooperation [47] given its worldwide dimension. Within this context, the European Union (EU)-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation, a non-profit association whereby its mission is to promote the collaboration between Japan and the EU in order to provide partnerships and guidance to prepare projects related to microalgae application on water bioremediation, promoting a circular economy [30].…”

“…Furthermore, in the European Union, the Water Framework Directive, published in 2000, addresses and encourages the improvement of urban wastewater treatment with biological methods. More recently (2016), the Government of the Republic of Lithuania has, inclusively, approved a management plan in order to reduce the nutrient input in the Baltic Sea [47].…”

“…The production of microalgal biomass into bioproducts is also a current theme of research and will promote the manufacture of innovative biological products as well as the creation of employment [47]. Photosynthetic microorganisms are efficient producers of high-value compounds, like polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) [92].…”