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Marine microalgal biofuels: toward a systems-based circular biofactory.
Siran Feng1, Huu Hao Ngo1, Zhonghua Cai2
1Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2007, Australia.
Trends in Biotechnology
|May 2, 2026
Summary
Marine microalgae show promise as sustainable biofuels but face systemic challenges. This review proposes a circular biofactory approach for integrated biorefineries to achieve industrial relevance.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Renewable Energy
- Environmental Science
Background:
- Marine microalgae are recognized for their potential as sustainable biofuel feedstocks due to halotolerance, high photosynthetic efficiency, and minimal land use.
- Commercialization of marine microalgal biofuels is hindered by fragmented development across strain engineering, harvesting, conversion, and sustainability assessment.
- Current challenges are systemic, not biological, necessitating an integrated approach to biorefining.
Purpose of the Study:
- To reframe marine microalgae as circular biofactories.
- To advance a system-centric paradigm for integrated marine microalgal biorefineries.
- To provide a roadmap for translating marine microalgal biofuels from laboratory to industrial scale.
Main Methods:
- Synthesizing recent advances in metabolic and genetic engineering for microalgae.
- Reviewing low-energy harvesting techniques for microalgal biomass.
- Analyzing thermochemical and biochemical conversion processes for biofuel production.
- Discussing the role of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital twins in process optimization.
- Exploring nutrient recycling, carbon utilization, and high-value coproduct strategies.
Main Results:
- Cross-stage interdependencies significantly impact the overall performance of marine microalgal biorefineries.
- Integration of AI, digital twins, nutrient recycling, carbon utilization, and coproducts can enable predictive optimization.
- Techno-economic viability can be enhanced through integrated system design and advanced technologies.
Conclusions:
- A system-centric paradigm is crucial for overcoming current barriers in marine microalgal biofuel production.
- Viewing microalgae as circular biofactories supports integrated biorefinery development.
- This integrated approach offers a viable pathway for industrial-scale marine microalgal biofuel production.
Keywords:
circular bioeconomycircular biofactorydigitalisationlife-cycle assessmentmarine microalgaesystem-level integrationMore Related Videos
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