1
|
Wang M, Ye X, Bi H, Shen Z. Microalgae biofuels: illuminating the path to a sustainable future amidst challenges and opportunities. BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS AND BIOPRODUCTS 2024; 17:10. [PMID: 38254224 PMCID: PMC10804497 DOI: 10.1186/s13068-024-02461-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
The development of microalgal biofuels is of significant importance in advancing the energy transition, alleviating food pressure, preserving the natural environment, and addressing climate change. Numerous countries and regions across the globe have conducted extensive research and strategic planning on microalgal bioenergy, investing significant funds and manpower into this field. However, the microalgae biofuel industry has faced a downturn due to the constraints of high costs. In the past decade, with the development of new strains, technologies, and equipment, the feasibility of large-scale production of microalgae biofuel should be re-evaluated. Here, we have gathered research results from the past decade regarding microalgae biofuel production, providing insights into the opportunities and challenges faced by this industry from the perspectives of microalgae selection, modification, and cultivation. In this review, we suggest that highly adaptable microalgae are the preferred choice for large-scale biofuel production, especially strains that can utilize high concentrations of inorganic carbon sources and possess stress resistance. The use of omics technologies and genetic editing has greatly enhanced lipid accumulation in microalgae. However, the associated risks have constrained the feasibility of large-scale outdoor cultivation. Therefore, the relatively controllable cultivation method of photobioreactors (PBRs) has made it the mainstream approach for microalgae biofuel production. Moreover, adjusting the performance and parameters of PBRs can also enhance lipid accumulation in microalgae. In the future, given the relentless escalation in demand for sustainable energy sources, microalgae biofuels should be deemed a pivotal constituent of national energy planning, particularly in the case of China. The advancement of synthetic biology helps reduce the risks associated with genetically modified (GM) microalgae and enhances the economic viability of their biofuel production.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Min Wang
- Institute of Agricultural Remote Sensing and Information, Heilongjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, 150086, China.
| | - Xiaoxue Ye
- Sanya Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Sanya, 572025, China
| | - Hongwen Bi
- Institute of Agricultural Remote Sensing and Information, Heilongjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, 150086, China
| | - Zhongbao Shen
- Grass and Science Institute of Heilongjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, 150086, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Xue Z, Li S, Yu W, Gao X, Zheng X, Yu Y, Kou X. Research advancement and commercialization of microalgae edible oil: a review. JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE 2021; 101:5763-5774. [PMID: 34148229 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.11390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Revised: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The global food crisis has led to a great deal of attention being given to microalgal oil as a sustainable natural food source. This article provides an overview of the progress and future directions in promoting the commercialization of microalgal edible oils, including microalgal triglyceride accumulation, suitable edible oil culture strategies for high nutritional value, metabolic engineering, production, and downstream technologies. The integration of the production process, biosafety, and the economic sustainability of microalgal oil production are analyzed for their critical roles in the commercialization of microalgal edible oil to provide a theoretical and scientific basis for the comprehensive development and utilization of microalgal edible oil. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhaohui Xue
- Functional Food Laboratory, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Shihao Li
- Functional Food Laboratory, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Wancong Yu
- Medicinal Plant Laboratory, Biotechnology Research Institute, Tianjin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Tianjin, China
| | - Xin Gao
- Functional Food Laboratory, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xu Zheng
- Functional Food Laboratory, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yue Yu
- Functional Food Laboratory, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiaohong Kou
- Functional Food Laboratory, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Improving ‘Lipid Productivity’ in Microalgae by Bilateral Enhancement of Biomass and Lipid Contents: A Review. SUSTAINABILITY 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/su12219083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Microalgae have received widespread interest owing to their potential in biofuel production. However, economical microalgal biomass production is conditioned by enhancing the lipid accumulation without decreasing growth rate or by increasing both simultaneously. While extensive investigation has been performed on promoting the economic feasibility of microalgal-based biofuel production that aims to increase the productivity of microalgae species, only a handful of them deal with increasing lipid productivity (based on lipid contents and growth rate) in the feedstock production process. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the recent advances and novel approaches in promoting lipid productivity (depends on biomass and lipid contents) in feedstock production from strain selection to after-harvesting stages. The current study comprises two parts. In the first part, bilateral improving biomass/lipid production will be investigated in upstream measures, including strain selection, genetic engineering, and cultivation stages. In the second part, the enhancement of lipid productivity will be discussed in the downstream measure included in the harvesting and after-harvesting stages. An integrated approach involving the strategies for increasing lipid productivity in up- and down-stream measures can be a breakthrough approach that would promote the commercialization of market-driven microalgae-derived biofuel production.
Collapse
|
4
|
Yin Z, Zhu L, Li S, Hu T, Chu R, Mo F, Hu D, Liu C, Li B. A comprehensive review on cultivation and harvesting of microalgae for biodiesel production: Environmental pollution control and future directions. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2020; 301:122804. [PMID: 31982297 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2020.122804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 131] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2019] [Revised: 01/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/10/2020] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Biodiesel is one of the best promising candidates in response to the energy crisis, since it has the capability to minimize most of the environmental problems. Microalgae, as the feedstock of third-generation biodiesel, are considered as one of the most sustainable resources. However, microalgae production for biodiesel feedstock on a large scale is still limited, because of the influences of lipid contents, biomass productivities, lipid extraction technologies, the water used in microalgae cultivation and processes of biomass harvesting. This paper firstly reviews the recent advances in microalgae cultivation and growth processes. Subsequently, current microalgae harvesting technologies are summarized and flocculation mechanisms are analyzed, while the characteristics that the ideal harvesting methods should have are summarized. This review also summarizes the environmental pollution control performances and the key challenges in future. The key suggestions and conclusions in the paper can offer a promising roadmap for the cost-effective biodiesel production.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhihong Yin
- School of Resource and Environmental Sciences, Hubei Key Laboratory of Biomass-Resources Chemistry and Environmental Biotechnology, and Hubei International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Sustainable Resource and Energy, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, PR China
| | - Liandong Zhu
- School of Resource and Environmental Sciences, Hubei Key Laboratory of Biomass-Resources Chemistry and Environmental Biotechnology, and Hubei International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Sustainable Resource and Energy, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, PR China; Faculty of Technology, and Vaasa Energy Institute, University of Vaasa, PO Box 700, FI-65101 Vaasa, Finland.
| | - Shuangxi Li
- School of Resource and Environmental Sciences, Hubei Key Laboratory of Biomass-Resources Chemistry and Environmental Biotechnology, and Hubei International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Sustainable Resource and Energy, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, PR China
| | - Tianyi Hu
- School of Resource and Environmental Sciences, Hubei Key Laboratory of Biomass-Resources Chemistry and Environmental Biotechnology, and Hubei International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Sustainable Resource and Energy, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, PR China
| | - Ruoyu Chu
- School of Resource and Environmental Sciences, Hubei Key Laboratory of Biomass-Resources Chemistry and Environmental Biotechnology, and Hubei International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Sustainable Resource and Energy, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, PR China
| | - Fan Mo
- School of Resource and Environmental Sciences, Hubei Key Laboratory of Biomass-Resources Chemistry and Environmental Biotechnology, and Hubei International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Sustainable Resource and Energy, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, PR China
| | - Dan Hu
- School of Resource and Environmental Sciences, Hubei Key Laboratory of Biomass-Resources Chemistry and Environmental Biotechnology, and Hubei International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Sustainable Resource and Energy, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, PR China
| | - Chenchen Liu
- School of Resource and Environmental Sciences, Hubei Key Laboratory of Biomass-Resources Chemistry and Environmental Biotechnology, and Hubei International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Sustainable Resource and Energy, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, PR China
| | - Bin Li
- School of Resource and Environmental Sciences, Hubei Key Laboratory of Biomass-Resources Chemistry and Environmental Biotechnology, and Hubei International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Sustainable Resource and Energy, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, PR China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Kang S, Heo S, Lee JH. Techno-economic Analysis of Microalgae-Based Lipid Production: Considering Influences of Microalgal Species. Ind Eng Chem Res 2018. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.iecr.8b03999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Seongwhan Kang
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Seongmin Heo
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Jay H. Lee
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Shin YS, Choi HI, Choi JW, Lee JS, Sung YJ, Sim SJ. Multilateral approach on enhancing economic viability of lipid production from microalgae: A review. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2018; 258:335-344. [PMID: 29555159 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2018.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2018] [Revised: 02/27/2018] [Accepted: 03/01/2018] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Microalgae have been rising as a feedstock for biofuel in response to the energy crisis. Due to a high lipid content, composed of fatty acids favorable for the biodiesel production, microalgae are still being investigated as an alternative to biodiesel. Environmental factors and process conditions can alternate the quality and the quantity of lipid produced by microalgae, which can be critical for the overall production of biodiesel. To maximize both the lipid content and the biomass productivity, it is necessary to start with robust algal strains and optimal physio-chemical properties of the culture environment in combination with a novel culture system. These accumulative approaches for cost reduction can take algal process one step closer in achieving the economic feasibility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ye Sol Shin
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Korea University, 145, Anam-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Hong Il Choi
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Korea University, 145, Anam-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin Won Choi
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Korea University, 145, Anam-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong Seop Lee
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Korea University, 145, Anam-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Joon Sung
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Korea University, 145, Anam-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Jun Sim
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Korea University, 145, Anam-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Pérez L, Salgueiro JL, González J, Parralejo AI, Maceiras R, Cancela Á. Scaled up from indoor to outdoor cultures of Chaetoceros gracilis and Skeletonema costatum microalgae for biomass and oil production. Biochem Eng J 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bej.2017.08.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
|
8
|
Zhang H, Li Y, Lu Z, Wu M, Shi R, Chen L. Highly efficient synthesis of biodiesel catalyzed by CF3SO3H-functionalized ionic liquids: experimental design and study with response surface methodology. REACTION KINETICS MECHANISMS AND CATALYSIS 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s11144-017-1171-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
|
9
|
|
10
|
Song C, Liu Q, Ji N, Deng S, Zhao J, Kitamura Y. Intensification of microalgae drying and oil extraction process by vapor recompression and heat integration. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2016; 207:67-75. [PMID: 26871956 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2016.01.129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2015] [Revised: 01/28/2016] [Accepted: 01/31/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Reducing energy penalty caused by drying and oil extraction is the most critical challenge in microalgae biodiesel production. In this study, vapor recompression and heat integration are utilized to optimize the performance of wet microalgae drying and oil extraction. In the microalgae drying stage, the hot exhaust stream is recompressed and coupled with wet microalgae to recover the condensate heat. In the oil extraction stage, the exergy rate of recovered solvent is also elevated by compressor and then exchanged heat with feed and bottom stream in the distillation column. Energy and mass balance of the intensified process is investigated and compared with the conventional microalgae drying-extraction process. The simulation results indicated that the total energy consumption of the intensified process can be saved by 52.4% of the conventional route.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chunfeng Song
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Indoor Air Environmental Quality Control, School of Environmental Science and Technology, Tianjin University, 92 Weijin Road, Nankai District, Tianjin, China; Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization of Low and Medium Grade Energy (Tianjin University), Ministry of Education, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Qingling Liu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Indoor Air Environmental Quality Control, School of Environmental Science and Technology, Tianjin University, 92 Weijin Road, Nankai District, Tianjin, China; Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization of Low and Medium Grade Energy (Tianjin University), Ministry of Education, Tianjin 300072, China.
| | - Na Ji
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Indoor Air Environmental Quality Control, School of Environmental Science and Technology, Tianjin University, 92 Weijin Road, Nankai District, Tianjin, China; Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization of Low and Medium Grade Energy (Tianjin University), Ministry of Education, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Shuai Deng
- Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization of Low and Medium Grade Energy (Tianjin University), Ministry of Education, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Jun Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization of Low and Medium Grade Energy (Tianjin University), Ministry of Education, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Yutaka Kitamura
- Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1, Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8572, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Lee DJ, Chang JS, Lai JY. Microalgae-microbial fuel cell: A mini review. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2015; 198:891-5. [PMID: 26431899 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2015.09.061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2015] [Revised: 09/11/2015] [Accepted: 09/13/2015] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Microalgae-microbial fuel cells (mMFCs) are a device that can convert solar energy to electrical energy via biological pathways. This mini-review lists new research and development works on microalgae processes, microbial fuel cell (MFC) processes, and their combined version, mMFC. The substantial improvement and technological advancement are highlighted, with a discussion on the challenges and prospects for possible commercialization of mMFC technologies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Duu-Jong Lee
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan; Department of Chemical Engineering, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taipei 106, Taiwan.
| | - Jo-Shu Chang
- Research Center for Energy Technology and Strategy, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan
| | - Juin-Yih Lai
- R&D Center for Membrane Technology, Department of Chemical Engineering, Chung Yuan Christian University, Chungli, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|