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Chapter 1 A timeline on microalgal biotechnology

  • Luísa C. Schetinger , Marcele L. Nörnberg , Patrícia A. Caetano and Leila Q. Zepka
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Microalgae-Based Systems
This chapter is in the book Microalgae-Based Systems

Abstract

Microalgae have been known for centuries, but it was only a few decades ago that advanced research on the possibilities of this biotechnology started. The applications of these microorganisms include food, animal feed, biofuels, and wastewater treatment, among others. Microalgae are a novel sustainable solution for multiple fields, being able to convert carbon dioxide into valuable nutrients and bioactive compounds. Their content of macronutrients makes some species perfect for producing alternative proteins, helping to complement the constantly growing food industry demands. However, the cost of biomass production remains high, and plenty of challenges related to sensory properties are present. To overcome that, diverse studies have been developed, and some of the most innovative methods embrace genetic engineering approaches. Strain selection, light intensity, manipulation of the cultivation environment, and stress conditions can also change the microalgal biomass profile and compounds profile. Considering the constant evolution of microalgal biotechnology, many important discoveries have been made, and challenges were already overcome. Regardless of how improvements were made, it is clear that microalgal biotechnology still requires further studies and new findings. Contemplating the past, current, and future scenarios, this chapter aims to build a broad timeline of microalgal biotechnology from some of the first discoveries until modern times. Topics covered include pioneer studies in microalgae, the development of sustainable solutions applying microalgae, the application of microalgae in food products, and challenges and future trends in microalgal biotechnology.

Abstract

Microalgae have been known for centuries, but it was only a few decades ago that advanced research on the possibilities of this biotechnology started. The applications of these microorganisms include food, animal feed, biofuels, and wastewater treatment, among others. Microalgae are a novel sustainable solution for multiple fields, being able to convert carbon dioxide into valuable nutrients and bioactive compounds. Their content of macronutrients makes some species perfect for producing alternative proteins, helping to complement the constantly growing food industry demands. However, the cost of biomass production remains high, and plenty of challenges related to sensory properties are present. To overcome that, diverse studies have been developed, and some of the most innovative methods embrace genetic engineering approaches. Strain selection, light intensity, manipulation of the cultivation environment, and stress conditions can also change the microalgal biomass profile and compounds profile. Considering the constant evolution of microalgal biotechnology, many important discoveries have been made, and challenges were already overcome. Regardless of how improvements were made, it is clear that microalgal biotechnology still requires further studies and new findings. Contemplating the past, current, and future scenarios, this chapter aims to build a broad timeline of microalgal biotechnology from some of the first discoveries until modern times. Topics covered include pioneer studies in microalgae, the development of sustainable solutions applying microalgae, the application of microalgae in food products, and challenges and future trends in microalgal biotechnology.

Chapters in this book

  1. Frontmatter I
  2. Contents V
  3. Contributing authors IX
  4. Part I: Fundamentals
  5. Chapter 1 A timeline on microalgal biotechnology 1
  6. Chapter 2 Scope of the microalgae market: a demand and supply perspective 19
  7. Chapter 3 Challenges and opportunities for microalgae biotechnology development 41
  8. Chapter 4 Major bottlenecks in industrial microalgaebased facilities 55
  9. Chapter 5 Multimethod and multiproduct microalgae biorefineries: industrial scale feasibility: eutectic solvents as a novel extraction system for microalgae biorefinery 67
  10. Chapter 6 What is next in microalgae research 81
  11. Chapter 7 Microalgae supply chains 107
  12. Part II: Process integration applied to microalgae-based systems
  13. Chapter 8 Energy and heat integration applied to microalgae-based systems 133
  14. Chapter 9 Mass integration applied to microalgaebased systems 147
  15. Chapter 10 Water integration applied to microalgaebased systems 165
  16. Chapter 11 Process integration opportunities applied to microalgae biomass production 183
  17. Part III: Process intensification applied to microalgae-based processes
  18. Chapter 12 Process intensification applied to bioreactor design 213
  19. Chapter 13 Process intensification approaches applied to the downstream processing of microalgae production 241
  20. Part IV: Process integration and process intensification strategies applied to microalgae-based products
  21. Chapter 14 Process integration opportunities applied to microalgae biomass production 271
  22. Chapter 15 Process integration opportunities applied to microalgae specialty chemicals production 299
  23. Chapter 16 Process intensification opportunities applied to the production of microalgae specialty chemicals 325
  24. Chapter 17 Process integration opportunities applied to microalgae biofuels production 349
  25. Chapter 18 Process intensification opportunities in the production of microalgal biofuels 377
  26. Chapter 19 Process integration approaches applied to carbon dioxide capture and use from microalgae 409
  27. Chapter 20 Algae-based bioelectrochemical systems 425
  28. Chapter 21 Process integration and process intensification approaches as enhancers of industrial sustainability in microalgaebased systems 441
  29. Chapter 22 Patents related to process integration and process intensification applied to microalgae-based systems 455
  30. Chapter 23 A brief mapping of patents in microalgaebased systems 479
  31. Index 507
https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110781267-001

Chapters in this book

  1. Frontmatter I
  2. Contents V
  3. Contributing authors IX
  4. Part I: Fundamentals
  5. Chapter 1 A timeline on microalgal biotechnology 1
  6. Chapter 2 Scope of the microalgae market: a demand and supply perspective 19
  7. Chapter 3 Challenges and opportunities for microalgae biotechnology development 41
  8. Chapter 4 Major bottlenecks in industrial microalgaebased facilities 55
  9. Chapter 5 Multimethod and multiproduct microalgae biorefineries: industrial scale feasibility: eutectic solvents as a novel extraction system for microalgae biorefinery 67
  10. Chapter 6 What is next in microalgae research 81
  11. Chapter 7 Microalgae supply chains 107
  12. Part II: Process integration applied to microalgae-based systems
  13. Chapter 8 Energy and heat integration applied to microalgae-based systems 133
  14. Chapter 9 Mass integration applied to microalgaebased systems 147
  15. Chapter 10 Water integration applied to microalgaebased systems 165
  16. Chapter 11 Process integration opportunities applied to microalgae biomass production 183
  17. Part III: Process intensification applied to microalgae-based processes
  18. Chapter 12 Process intensification applied to bioreactor design 213
  19. Chapter 13 Process intensification approaches applied to the downstream processing of microalgae production 241
  20. Part IV: Process integration and process intensification strategies applied to microalgae-based products
  21. Chapter 14 Process integration opportunities applied to microalgae biomass production 271
  22. Chapter 15 Process integration opportunities applied to microalgae specialty chemicals production 299
  23. Chapter 16 Process intensification opportunities applied to the production of microalgae specialty chemicals 325
  24. Chapter 17 Process integration opportunities applied to microalgae biofuels production 349
  25. Chapter 18 Process intensification opportunities in the production of microalgal biofuels 377
  26. Chapter 19 Process integration approaches applied to carbon dioxide capture and use from microalgae 409
  27. Chapter 20 Algae-based bioelectrochemical systems 425
  28. Chapter 21 Process integration and process intensification approaches as enhancers of industrial sustainability in microalgaebased systems 441
  29. Chapter 22 Patents related to process integration and process intensification applied to microalgae-based systems 455
  30. Chapter 23 A brief mapping of patents in microalgaebased systems 479
  31. Index 507
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