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11:08
Cultivation of Green Microalgae in Bubble Column Photobioreactors and an Assay for Neutral Lipids
Published on: January 7, 2019
Expanding the microalgal industry--continuing controversy or compelling case?
Evan Stephens1, Ian L Ross, Ben Hankamer
1The University of Queensland, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, St Lucia, Qld 4072, Australia. e.stephens@imb.uq.edu.au
Current Opinion in Chemical Biology
|April 17, 2013
Summary
Microalgae show promise for energy, fuel, food, and water security challenges. Despite economic and environmental sustainability debates, innovation can advance the microalgal industry.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology and Sustainable Resources
- Renewable Energy and Food Security
Background:
- Microalgal production systems face ongoing debate regarding economic viability and environmental sustainability.
- Existing systems present both significant advantages and obstacles for industrial expansion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the potential contributions of microalgae to energy, fuel, food, and water security.
- To critically assess the economic and environmental sustainability of microalgal production.
- To identify key advantages and challenges for the microalgal industry.
Main Methods:
- Review and analysis of current microalgal production systems.
- Comparative assessment with other relevant industrial systems.
- Discussion of economic and environmental sustainability factors.
Main Results:
- Microalgae offer potential solutions for critical resource security issues.
- Economic and environmental sustainability remain key areas of contention.
- Parallels with other industries highlight specific advantages and obstacles.
Conclusions:
- Further innovation is crucial for the microalgal industry, particularly in biofuels.
- Emerging production models offer pathways to overcome current limitations.
- Advancements can lead to a highly productive and mature microalgal technology.
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