About this Research Topic
Microalgae are photosynthetic microorganisms that can be unicellular or multicellular. It is estimated that there are between 200,000 and several million species of microalgae in freshwater, saltwater, terrestrial, and marine environments around the world. This high biodiversity represents a practically unexplored resource. Roughly 40% of global photosynthesis is facilitated by these microorganisms, which use solar energy to absorb carbon dioxide up to ten times more efficiently than terrestrial plants. Owing to these special qualities, they are currently an attractive set of organisms for biotechnological research.
In a world with limited resources (energy, clean water, arable land) and increasing anthropogenic pressure on the environment, new or improved biotechnological processes to provide renewable energy, new molecules, organic farming, and cleaner industrial processes represent key challenges.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of 17 global objectives established by the United Nations in 2015 as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. These goals aim to address a range of global challenges, including hunger (SDG 2 ensuring food security and improving nutrition), health and well-being (SDG 3 ensuring a healthy life), clean water and sanitation (SDG 6 ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water), and clean energy (SDG 7 ensuring access to reliable, sustainable, and modern energy). The SDGs are interconnected and emphasize the need for inclusive and sustainable development for all.
In recent decades, microalgal biotechnology has gained significant attention. The above-mentioned biological variety offers a remarkable range of flexibility and holds great promise for use in biotechnology for sustainability.
Microalgae, rich in protein, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and bioactive compounds, are increasingly being used in food and feed. They could contribute to health and well-being by producing pharmaceutical and therapeutic compounds. Algae also offer sustainable wastewater treatment, resource recovery, and environmental sustainability. As technology advances, algae-based systems may become integral to modern wastewater management strategies. Additionally, microalgae are potential candidates for producing clean biofuels such as bioethanol, biohydrogen, biodiesel, and biogas.
The role of microalgae in the achievement of the various SDGs has been the subject of only limited investigation. In this context, the primary objective of this topic is to highlight the contribution of microalgae to the Sustainable Development Goals by promoting research on microalgae technologies. More specifically, we highlight the innovative role of microalgae in contributing directly and effectively to supporting the SDGs, notably SDGs 2, 3, 6, and 7.
Industrial microalgal production faces limiting factors such as high costs, technological limitations, and gaps in scientific knowledge. Future expansion depends on technological advancements; academics and engineers must work to increase the development of high-density cultures and harvesting to unlock their biotechnological potential.
This Research Topic aims to collect original research articles, mini-reviews, reviews, method papers, technology reports, perspectives, and opinion articles covering recent advances in microalgae biotechnology to achieve sustainable development goals.
Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:
• Food and feed applications.
• Pharmaceutical and therapeutic applications.
• Renewable energy applications.
• Wastewater applications.
In a world with limited resources (energy, clean water, arable land) and increasing anthropogenic pressure on the environment, new or improved biotechnological processes to provide renewable energy, new molecules, organic farming, and cleaner industrial processes represent key challenges.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of 17 global objectives established by the United Nations in 2015 as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. These goals aim to address a range of global challenges, including hunger (SDG 2 ensuring food security and improving nutrition), health and well-being (SDG 3 ensuring a healthy life), clean water and sanitation (SDG 6 ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water), and clean energy (SDG 7 ensuring access to reliable, sustainable, and modern energy). The SDGs are interconnected and emphasize the need for inclusive and sustainable development for all.
In recent decades, microalgal biotechnology has gained significant attention. The above-mentioned biological variety offers a remarkable range of flexibility and holds great promise for use in biotechnology for sustainability.
Microalgae, rich in protein, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and bioactive compounds, are increasingly being used in food and feed. They could contribute to health and well-being by producing pharmaceutical and therapeutic compounds. Algae also offer sustainable wastewater treatment, resource recovery, and environmental sustainability. As technology advances, algae-based systems may become integral to modern wastewater management strategies. Additionally, microalgae are potential candidates for producing clean biofuels such as bioethanol, biohydrogen, biodiesel, and biogas.
The role of microalgae in the achievement of the various SDGs has been the subject of only limited investigation. In this context, the primary objective of this topic is to highlight the contribution of microalgae to the Sustainable Development Goals by promoting research on microalgae technologies. More specifically, we highlight the innovative role of microalgae in contributing directly and effectively to supporting the SDGs, notably SDGs 2, 3, 6, and 7.
Industrial microalgal production faces limiting factors such as high costs, technological limitations, and gaps in scientific knowledge. Future expansion depends on technological advancements; academics and engineers must work to increase the development of high-density cultures and harvesting to unlock their biotechnological potential.
This Research Topic aims to collect original research articles, mini-reviews, reviews, method papers, technology reports, perspectives, and opinion articles covering recent advances in microalgae biotechnology to achieve sustainable development goals.
Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:
• Food and feed applications.
• Pharmaceutical and therapeutic applications.
• Renewable energy applications.
• Wastewater applications.
Keywords: Microalgae Biotechnology, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Renewable Energy, Environmental Sustainability, Nutritional and Pharmaceutical Applications
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
