Cultivation and Biorefinery of Microalgae ( Chlorella sp.) for Producing Biofuels and Other Byproducts: A Review

Chiu-Mei Kuo, Yu-Ling Sun, Cheng-Han Lin, Chao-Hsu Lin, Hsi-Tien Wu and Chih-Sheng Lin
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Chiu-Mei Kuo: Bioresource Collection and Research Center, Food Industry Research and Development Institute, Hsinchu 30068, Taiwan
Yu-Ling Sun: Aquatic Technology Laboratories, Agricultural Technology Research Institute, Hsinchu 30068, Taiwan
Cheng-Han Lin: Department of Biological Science and Technology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 30068, Taiwan
Chao-Hsu Lin: Department of Biological Science and Technology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 30068, Taiwan
Hsi-Tien Wu: Department of BioAgricultural Sciences, College of Agriculture, National Chiayi University, Chiayi 60004, Taiwan
Chih-Sheng Lin: Department of Biological Science and Technology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 30068, Taiwan

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 23, 1-30

Abstract: Microalgae-based carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) biofixation and biorefinery are the most efficient methods of biological CO 2 reduction and reutilization. The diversification and high-value byproducts of microalgal biomass, known as microalgae-based biorefinery, are considered the most promising platforms for the sustainable development of energy and the environment, in addition to the improvement and integration of microalgal cultivation, scale-up, harvest, and extraction technologies. In this review, the factors influencing CO 2 biofixation by microalgae, including microalgal strains, flue gas, wastewater, light, pH, temperature, and microalgae cultivation systems are summarized. Moreover, the biorefinery of Chlorella biomass for producing biofuels and its byproducts, such as fine chemicals, feed additives, and high-value products, are also discussed. The technical and economic assessments (TEAs) and life cycle assessments (LCAs) are introduced to evaluate the sustainability of microalgae CO 2 fixation technology. This review provides detailed insights on the adjusted factors of microalgal cultivation to establish sustainable biological CO 2 fixation technology, and the diversified applications of microalgal biomass in biorefinery. The economic and environmental sustainability, and the limitations and needs of microalgal CO 2 fixation, are discussed. Finally, future research directions are provided for CO 2 reduction by microalgae.

Keywords: CO 2 biofixation; biorefinery; biofuel; Chlorella; cultivation; microalgae (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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