Blue Economy: Innovative Strategies for Valorising Micro- and Macroalgae

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2025 | Viewed by 1918

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
LEPABE—Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
Interests: CO2 capture; wastewater treatment; microalgal biofuels; process modelling
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
LEPABE-Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
Interests: high-added value products; enzymes; biotechnological applications

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The blue economy emphasizes the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and ecosystem health. Within this context, the valorization of micro- and macroalgae presents significant potential. Microalgae, microscopic aquatic plants, and macroalgae, commonly known as seaweeds, are both rich in valuable compounds, such as proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and bioactive substances. The use of innovative process strategies is essential to fully exploit the potential of these algae. Techniques like biorefining allow for the extraction and utilization of multiple products from algae, minimizing waste and maximizing value. Microalgae can be cultivated in photobioreactors to produce biofuels, pharmaceuticals, and nutraceuticals. They also play a role in wastewater treatment, absorbing nutrients and pollutants, thus contributing to environmental sustainability. Macroalgae, harvested from natural stocks or through aquaculture, offer their applications in food, cosmetics, and agriculture. Their high polysaccharide content makes them suitable for producing bio-based materials and bioplastics. Moreover, algae farming can enhance marine biodiversity and sequester carbon, aligning with climate change mitigation goals. In summary, integrating micro- and macroalgae into the blue economy through advanced process strategies can drive economic growth while fostering environmental stewardship and sustainability.

Dr. José Carlos Magalhães Pires
Dr. Tânia Tavares
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • blue economy
  • microalgae
  • microscopic aquatic plants
  • macroalgae
  • valuable compounds

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

21 pages, 4467 KiB  
Article
Bioremediation of Synthetic Wastewater with Contaminants of Emerging Concern by Nannochloropsis sp. and Lipid Production: A Circular Approach
by Bruna Santos, Juliana Araújo, Beatriz Carvalho, Carolina Cotrim, Raul Bernardino, Filomena Freitas, Abílio J. F. N. Sobral and Telma Encarnação
Bioengineering 2025, 12(3), 246; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering12030246 - 28 Feb 2025
Viewed by 1356
Abstract
Contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) pose a potential risk to human and environmental health. Microalgae bioremediation is a promising approach for transforming or removing contaminants from the environment, while contributing to the circular economy. In this study, Nannochloropsis sp. was effectively used for [...] Read more.
Contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) pose a potential risk to human and environmental health. Microalgae bioremediation is a promising approach for transforming or removing contaminants from the environment, while contributing to the circular economy. In this study, Nannochloropsis sp. was effectively used for the simultaneous removal of six CECs: paracetamol, ibuprofen, imidacloprid, methylparaben and bisphenol A at 10 µg mL−1 and triclosan at 0.5 µg mL−1 from synthetic wastewater, which were able to survive under such concentrations, higher than those commonly found in the environment (up to 2.82 µg mL−1 of methylparaben). High removal efficiencies were reached for methylparaben (100%) and bisphenol A (93 ± 2%), while for imidacloprid, paracetamol and ibuprofen, 30 ± 1%, 64 ± 2% and 49 ± 5% were removed, respectively. Subsequently, lipids were extracted, and the FAME profile was characterised using GS-MS. The main fatty acids identified after bioremediation were hexadecadienoic acid isomers (C16:2), palmitic acid (C16), linoleic acid (C18:2) and γ-linolenic acid (C18:3). The absence of oleic acid and stearic acid was noticed, suggesting an alteration in the lipidic profile due to contaminant exposure. By exploring the quantification of fatty acids in future work, potential applications for the extracted lipids can be explored, further demonstrating the feasibility of this circular process. Full article
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