Cellular stress strategies and harvesting methods to improve the feasibility of microalgae biofuel

摘要

ABSTRACT Owing to the need to redesign the energy infrastructure due to reducing fossil fuel availability and effects of climate change, the focus has shifted to biofuels. However, microalgal biofuels are not yet viable because of low productivity of biomass and compounds such as lipids and carbohydrates and the technological limitations in harvesting and collecting microalgal bioproducts. In order to improve the potential of microalgal biofuels, stress strategies are being developed to optimize the cultivation processes. New methods of harvesting are being proposed considering the costs involved. This review discusses strategies for carbohydrate and lipid accumulation in microalgae biomass and harvesting, focusing on the use of coagulation and flocculation methods. We also present the evaluation of costs of different harvesting methods, future trends, and challenges.