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Bioengineering
Special Issues
Engineering Microalgal Systems for a Greener Future
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Engineering Microalgal Systems for a Greener Future

A special issue of Bioengineering (ISSN 2306-5354). This special issue belongs to the section "Biochemical Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 28 February 2026 | Viewed by 7685

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Ana Filipa Cruz Esteves

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
LEPABE—Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, University of Porto, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
Interests: biomass valorisation; environmental engineering; microalgal biotechnology; microalgal cultures; process integration; stress conditions; sustainability
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Alok Kumar Patel

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Biochemical Process Engineering, Division of Chemical Engineering, Department of Civil, Environmental, and Natural Resource Engineering, Luleå University of Technology, 97187 Luleå, Sweden
Interests: bioprocess development; metabolic and genetic engineering; biomass pretreatment; oleaginous microorganisms; nutraceuticals and value-added products from microalgae; renewable energy; biomass production; biofuels; waste valorization; wastewater treatment
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The development of microalgal systems has emerged as a transformative approach to address global environmental challenges and promote sustainable bioengineering solutions. Advances in microalgal bioengineering encompass the optimisation of cultivation techniques and process innovations aimed at enhancing productivity, resource efficiency, and the accumulation of high-value compounds. These efforts are crucial for multiple applications, such as biofuels, bioplastics, pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, food additives and carbon capture technologies.

This Special Issue on “Engineering Microalgal Systems for a Greener Future” invites original research and comprehensive reviews that highlight the latest advancements in microalgal bioengineering. Contributions may include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Innovative bioprocessing strategies for microalgal cultivation and harvesting;
  • Application of artificial intelligence and machine learning for process optimisation;
  • Development of photobioreactors and their scale-up for industrial applications;
  • Microalgal contributions to the circular economy and carbon neutrality;
  • Synergistic interactions between microalgal systems and renewable energy technologies.

This Special Issue aims to provide a comprehensive perspective on how cutting-edge engineering and scientific methodologies can unlock the potential of microalgae, paving the way for a sustainable and greener future.

Dr. Ana F. Esteves
Dr. Alok Kumar Patel
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Bioengineering is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • artificial intelligence
  • machine learning
  • bioprocessing
  • circular bioeconomy
  • production value addition
  • biomass valorization
  • microalgal cultivation systems
  • sustainable bioprocessing

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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21 pages, 3884 KB  
Article
DSOF: A Rapid Method to Determine the Abundance of Microalgae and Methanotrophic Bacteria in Coculture Using a Combination of Differential Sedimentation, Optical Density, and Fluorescence
by Carlos Cartin-Caballero, Christophe Collet, Daniel Gapes, Peter A. Gostomski, Matthew B. Stott and Carlo R. Carere
Bioengineering 2025, 12(9), 1000; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering12091000 - 19 Sep 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 906
Abstract
Cocultivation of microalgae and aerobic methanotrophs represents an emerging biotechnology platform to produce high-protein biomass, yet quantifying individual species in mixed cultures remains challenging. Here, we present a rapid, low-cost method—differential sedimentation, optical density, and fluorescence (DSOF)—to determine the abundance of coculture members. [...] Read more.
Cocultivation of microalgae and aerobic methanotrophs represents an emerging biotechnology platform to produce high-protein biomass, yet quantifying individual species in mixed cultures remains challenging. Here, we present a rapid, low-cost method—differential sedimentation, optical density, and fluorescence (DSOF)—to determine the abundance of coculture members. DSOF exploits differences in cell size and pigment autofluorescence between the thermoacidophilic microalga and methanotrophic species Galdieria sp. RTK37.1 and Methylacidiphilum sp. RTK17.1, respectively, to selectively sediment algal cells and estimate population contributions via OD600 and phycocyanin fluorescence. Evaluation with model suspensions across a wide cell density range (0 ≤ [Galdieria]: ≤ 3.23 A.U., and 0 ≤ [Methylacidiphilum] ≤ 1.54 A.U.) showed strong agreement with known values, with most absolute errors < 0.1 A.U. and relative errors < 10% at moderate biomass levels. Application to live batch cocultures under microalga or methanotroph growth-suppressed conditions, and during simultaneous growth, demonstrated accurate tracking of population dynamics and revealed enhanced methanotroph growth in the presence of oxygenic microalgae. While DSOF accuracy decreases at very concentrated biomass (>2.0 A.U. for Galdieria) or under nitrogen-limiting conditions, the model provides a practical, scalable alternative to more complex, invasive or expensive techniques, enabling near real-time monitoring of microalgae–methanotroph cocultures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Engineering Microalgal Systems for a Greener Future)
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15 pages, 3677 KB  
Article
Ro(a)d to New Functional Materials: Sustainable Isolation of High-Aspect-Ratio β-Chitin Microrods from Marine Algae
by Jan Ludwig, Florian Kauffmann, Sabine Laschat and Ingrid M. Weiss
Bioengineering 2025, 12(9), 969; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering12090969 - 11 Sep 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 747
Abstract
High-aspect-ratio rod-shaped chitins such as chitin whiskers or chitin nano- and microfibers are particularly promising for a wide range of applications, including electrorheological suspensions, lightweight reinforcement material for biocomposites, biomedical scaffolds, and food packaging. Here, we report the first mild water-based mechanical extraction [...] Read more.
High-aspect-ratio rod-shaped chitins such as chitin whiskers or chitin nano- and microfibers are particularly promising for a wide range of applications, including electrorheological suspensions, lightweight reinforcement material for biocomposites, biomedical scaffolds, and food packaging. Here, we report the first mild water-based mechanical extraction protocol to isolate β-chitin microrods from the marine algal species Thalassiosira rotula while preserving their structural integrity throughout the process. The resulting microrods could be distributed into two populations based on the fultoportulae from which they are extruded. The rods exhibit typical dimensions of 12.6 ± 4.0 µm in length and 75 ± 21 nm in diameter (outer fultoportulae) or 17.5 ± 4.7 µm in length and 170 ± 39 nm in diameter (central fultoportulae), yielding high aspect ratios of ~168 and ~103 on average, respectively. Due to this environmentally friendly extraction, the high purity of the synthesized chitin, and the renewable algal source, this work introduces a sustainable route to produce pure biogenic β-chitin microrods. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Engineering Microalgal Systems for a Greener Future)
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22 pages, 4210 KB  
Article
Comparing Growth Models Dependent on Irradiation and Nutrient Consumption on Closed Outdoor Cultivations of Nannochloropsis sp.
by Tiago Taborda, José C. M. Pires, Sara M. Badenes and Francisco Lemos
Bioengineering 2025, 12(3), 272; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering12030272 - 10 Mar 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1366
Abstract
Microalgae offer tremendous industrial possibilities for their ability to grow rapidly and capture CO2 from the atmosphere. The literature contains many models for predicting microalgae growth in lab-scale reactors. However, there exists a gap in the application of these models in outdoor [...] Read more.
Microalgae offer tremendous industrial possibilities for their ability to grow rapidly and capture CO2 from the atmosphere. The literature contains many models for predicting microalgae growth in lab-scale reactors. However, there exists a gap in the application of these models in outdoor pilot-scale closed photobioreactors. This work proposes a methodology for constructing models for this type of reactor. These models were constructed based on the existing literature, then trained and tested using a dataset of ten cultivations of Nannochloropsis sp. Four models were tested: a model based on a Monod-like equation (Model M); a model based on a Haldane-like equation (Model H); a model based on an exponential equation (Model E); and a model considering both irradiation and the effect of nitrate on the culture using the Droop model (Model D). Model H had the best overall performance, with a global root mean squared error (RMSE) of 0.296 kg1/2 m−3/2; Model M and Model E had RMSE values of 0.309 and 0.302, respectively. Model D performed the worst, with an RMSE of 0.413. Future work should involve applying the same methodology to new cultivations of the same or different species and testing more complex models capable of better explaining the data. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Engineering Microalgal Systems for a Greener Future)
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Review

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23 pages, 2605 KB  
Review
Microalgae: Green Engines for Achieving Carbon Sequestration, Circular Economy, and Environmental Sustainability—A Review Based on Last Ten Years of Research
by Md. Muzammal Hoque, Valeria Iannelli, Francesca Padula, Rosa Paola Radice, Biplob Kumar Saha, Giuseppe Martelli, Antonio Scopa and Marios Drosos
Bioengineering 2025, 12(9), 909; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering12090909 - 25 Aug 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3895
Abstract
Feeding a growing global population requires sustainable, innovative, and cost-effective solutions, especially in light of the environmental damage and nutrient imbalances caused by excessive chemical fertilizer use. Microalgae have gained prominence due to their phylogenetic diversity, physiological adaptability, eco-compatible characteristics, and potential to [...] Read more.
Feeding a growing global population requires sustainable, innovative, and cost-effective solutions, especially in light of the environmental damage and nutrient imbalances caused by excessive chemical fertilizer use. Microalgae have gained prominence due to their phylogenetic diversity, physiological adaptability, eco-compatible characteristics, and potential to support regenerative agriculture and mitigate climate change. Functioning as biofertilizers, biostimulants, and bioremediators, microalgae accelerate nutrient cycling, improve soil aggregation through extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs), and stimulate rhizospheric microbial diversity. Empirical studies demonstrate their ability to increase crop yields by 5–25%, reduce chemical nitrogen inputs by up to 50%, and boost both organic carbon content and enzymatic activity in soils. Their application in saline and degraded lands further promotes resilience and ecological regeneration. Microalgal cultivation platforms offer scalable in situ carbon sequestration, converting atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) into biomass with potential downstream vaporization into biofuels, bioplastics, and biochar, aligning with circular economy principles. While the commercial viability of microalgae is challenged by high production costs, technical complexities, and regulatory gaps, recent breakthroughs in cultivation systems, biorefinery integration, and strain optimization highlight promising pathways forward. This review highlights the strategic importance of microalgae in enhancing climate resilience, promoting agricultural sustainability, restoring soil health, and driving global bioeconomic transformation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Engineering Microalgal Systems for a Greener Future)
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