Current Advances in Microalgal Biotechnology

Dear Colleagues,

In the recent past, algae in general and microalgae in particular, have received renewed attention from biotechnologists around the world for the sustainable production of biofuels. The traditional use of microalgae can be traced back several decades within the indigenous populations around the world especially in China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea. Cyanobacteria and microalgae have been reported as a ‘treasure house’ for a variety of bioactive compounds and nutritional ingredients. However, only a handful of organisms for a few bioactive compounds have been used as nutraceuticals. Commercial cultivation of microalgae is very recent, and much more has to happen to get the broad spectrum of benefits of this group of organisms. Although microalgal biotechnology for nutraceutical applications are a fast-growing segment of health and nutrition industries today, there are tremendous opportunities for biorefinery of microalgal biomass. Eventually, the complete use of microalgal biomass for value-added molecules, bioenergy production, fertilizer use, animal feed, and/or aqua feed use as appropriate, would help in sustainable development and circular bioeconomy.

Continuous efforts have been made in various mass cultivation technologies, including photobioreactor technologies, and are still developing since some cultivation methods are microalgae species-specific as well as regional weather condition specific. There are still challenges in biomass cultivation and biomass end-use, and especially the cost for biofuels production. Therefore, simple, robust and cheaper biomass cultivation methods may also be adopted, which may boost regional entrepreneurship with minimum investment. Thus, widening the opportunity for sustainable biomass production either for whole biomass consumption and/or bioenergy production through the route of biomass production during bioremediation.

This Special Issue invites authors to contribute on the recent developments including original review articles, original research articles, comments on innovative simple (low-cost) cultivation technology, and applications that worked or was a failed attempt.

Dr. Sushanta Kumar Saha
Guest Editor

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