Microalgae harvesting techniques: updates and recent technological interventions.

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Renewable Energy
• Biomass Processing

Background:

• Microalgal biomass is a key renewable resource for sustainable biodiesel production.
• Microalgal harvesting is a significant bottleneck and cost driver in downstream processing.
• Bioharvesting using polymeric flocculants shows promise due to dewatering efficiency, low toxicity, and eco-friendly properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review challenges and advancements in microalgal biomass harvesting techniques.
• To discuss economic and technical aspects of various harvesting methods, especially cationic polymeric flocculant-based approaches.
• To analyze flocculant-microalgal interactions and their effects on metabolite and lipid extraction for cost-effective biodiesel.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on microalgal harvesting technologies.
• Analysis of bioharvesting strategies utilizing microbial, animal, and plant-based polymeric flocculants.
• Examination of economic and technical feasibility of different harvesting methods.

Main Results:

• Polymeric flocculants offer higher dewatering potential, reduced toxicity, and environmental benefits for microalgal harvesting.
• Cationic polymeric flocculants are highlighted for their efficiency in microalgal biomass accumulation.
• Understanding flocculant-biomass interactions is crucial for optimizing metabolite and lipid yields.

Conclusions:

• Selecting efficient and economical microalgal harvesting methods is vital for cost-effective biodiesel production.
• Advancements in bioharvesting techniques, particularly using polymeric flocculants, are crucial for industrial scalability.
• Further research into flocculant-biomass interactions can enhance downstream processing for biofuels.