Microalgae as a key tool in achieving carbon neutrality for bioproduct production

• Published in: Algal research (Amsterdam) 2023-05, Vol.72, p.103096, Article 103096
• Main Authors: Sadvakasova, Assemgul K., Kossalbayev, Bekzhan D., Bauenova, Meruyert O., Balouch, Huma, Leong, Yoong Kit, Zayadan, Bolatkhan K., Huang, Zhiyong, Alharby, Hesham F., Tomo, Tatsuya, Chang, Jo-Shu, Allakhverdiev, Suleyman I.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bioenergy; Bioproducts; Carbon neutrality; CO2 emissions; Decarbonization; Microalgae
• ISSN: 2211-9264; 2211-9264
• DOI: 10.1016/j.algal.2023.103096

The upcoming global climate change as a result of anthropogenic action is now increasingly attracting the attention of scientific communities. Over the past three decades, researchers and industries around the world have spent a lot of time and effort developing various carbon capture and storage technologies, which, despite their promise, are still economically complex, with unclear long-term consequences to the environment. As an alternative, biological carbon sequestration is considered an attractive method of atmospheric CO2 fixation with the production of biomass, which, in turn, can be used as a readily renewable feedstock for the production of biofuels and other valuable products. This review focuses on the latest data of microalgae research in terms of key carbon footprint minimization strategies, which include features of the carbon concentrating mechanism (CCM) in microalgae, the main range of biofuels and the possibility of obtaining valuable metabolites based on them, such as bioplastics, biofertilizers, and biologically active compounds. [Display omitted] •Prospects for microalgae in achieving carbon neutrality are discussed.•Microalgae possess carbon accumulation and metabolic capabilities for CO2 sequestration.•Microalgal biomass is the potent renewable feedstock for the production of various biofuels.•Algae can be used to produce bioplastics, biofertilizers, and food supplements.