Microalgae cultivation: from CO₂ fixation to single-cell protein production

Abstract

Bio-sequestration of CO2 using microalgae to recycle CO2 into valuable products such as single-cell proteins (SCP) is one of the most promising fields nowadays. Microalgae are able to use CO2 as their carbon source and subsequently build carbohydrates, proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids. Nevertheless, all microalgae strains do not have the same CO2 tolerance and culture conditions. Moreover, pure CO2 is less soluble in water, which leads to a low carbon capture and fixation rate. Thus, to optimise SCP production in relation to CO2 mitigation, studies of the enhancement of solubilization of CO2 in water as well as the determination of the optimum process parameter for CO2 fixation and SCP production need to be done. Consequently, this study aims to review the cultivation conditions for single-cell protein production.