Microalgae Biorefinery: Innovations in Sustainable Biofuel Production

Abstract

Microalgae are omnipresent organisms that are thought to be safe substitutes for the sustainable synthesis of a variety of high-value bio-products that will lower CO2 emissions and replace limited resources of fossil fuels. However, because of their high prices, high energy needs, and limited supply of biomass and biomolecules, microalgae bio-refineries are still a long way from becoming commercially viable. In this review, several facets of the sustainable production of bulk chemicals and value-added bio-products from microalgae bio-refineries are explained, along with their contributions to environmental preservation and the advancement of an inclusive green circular bio-economy. Also, the techno-economic evaluation of the bio-refinery was examined, and strategies for life-cycle costing and net energy savings to save micro algal bio-refinery were proposed. Finally, the challenges that microalgae biorefineries face are finally covered, along with recommendations for guiding future research toward more economical, efficient, and sustainable.