Microalgae has been identified as a potential feedstock for lipid and valuable products production since its cultivation shows high growth rate and requires less cropland compared to conventional oil crops. The application of microalgal diets and high-value products are important directions in the field of bioengineering and biotechnology. On the other hand, coupling microalgae culture with CO2 capture and waste water treatment offers extra economic benefits that can potentially make microalgal production feasible by reducing production costs and providing environmental benefits.
As we know, energy intensive, costly lipid extraction methods and harvesting are the major obstacles hampering microalgae biodiesel commercialization. Nowadays, microalgae biomass is produced mainly for high-value applications related to human consumption and aquaculture, including food, nutraceuticals, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and diets. Growing microalgae in wastewater can potentially offset some obstacles. However, the high efficiency cultivation and low-cost harvesting of microalgae are still the main problems for these applications. Great efforts need to be made toward the accumulation of bioproducts under different cultivation strategies and the effect of nutrient distribution characteristics on the accumulation of biological products in microalgal cells. Therefore, the research and development of high value products and aquaculture are essential to overcome the challenges of the future and make microalgae production more sustainable.
We welcome Review and Original Research papers describing current and expected technologies or perspectives on sustainable microalgae production. Topics can be broadly covering studies of biology and traits, including the genetic modification and breeding, physiology and metabolic regulation, as well as biomass and process for high value products, and the efficient absorption of microalgae by aquatic organisms.
Dr. Fan holds patents related to microalgae production. The other Topic Editors declare no competing interests with regards to the Research Topic theme.
Microalgae has been identified as a potential feedstock for lipid and valuable products production since its cultivation shows high growth rate and requires less cropland compared to conventional oil crops. The application of microalgal diets and high-value products are important directions in the field of bioengineering and biotechnology. On the other hand, coupling microalgae culture with CO2 capture and waste water treatment offers extra economic benefits that can potentially make microalgal production feasible by reducing production costs and providing environmental benefits.
As we know, energy intensive, costly lipid extraction methods and harvesting are the major obstacles hampering microalgae biodiesel commercialization. Nowadays, microalgae biomass is produced mainly for high-value applications related to human consumption and aquaculture, including food, nutraceuticals, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and diets. Growing microalgae in wastewater can potentially offset some obstacles. However, the high efficiency cultivation and low-cost harvesting of microalgae are still the main problems for these applications. Great efforts need to be made toward the accumulation of bioproducts under different cultivation strategies and the effect of nutrient distribution characteristics on the accumulation of biological products in microalgal cells. Therefore, the research and development of high value products and aquaculture are essential to overcome the challenges of the future and make microalgae production more sustainable.
We welcome Review and Original Research papers describing current and expected technologies or perspectives on sustainable microalgae production. Topics can be broadly covering studies of biology and traits, including the genetic modification and breeding, physiology and metabolic regulation, as well as biomass and process for high value products, and the efficient absorption of microalgae by aquatic organisms.
Dr. Fan holds patents related to microalgae production. The other Topic Editors declare no competing interests with regards to the Research Topic theme.
