Potentials of macroalgae as feedstocks for biorefinery

► This review focuses on the potential of macroalgae as a biorefinery feedstock. ► Their basic information and background knowledge are summarized. ► Their production status and carbohydrate compositions are investigated. ► Up-to-date macroalgae-based biorefinery technology and research are examined...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Bioresource technology 2013-05, Vol.135, p.182-190
Main Authors: Jung, Kyung A, Lim, Seong-Rin, Kim, Yoori, Park, Jong Moon
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Assessments
Biocompatible Materials - metabolism
Bioenergy
Bioengineering
Biofuels
Biomass
Biomaterials
Biorefinery
Biotechnology - methods
Carbohydrates
Carbon
Economics
Feedstock
Macroalgae
Refining
Seaweed
Seaweed - chemistry
Seaweed - growth & development
Seaweed - metabolism
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Summary:► This review focuses on the potential of macroalgae as a biorefinery feedstock. ► Their basic information and background knowledge are summarized. ► Their production status and carbohydrate compositions are investigated. ► Up-to-date macroalgae-based biorefinery technology and research are examined. ► Macroalgae could be utilized as a new promising biomass for low-carbon economy. Macroalgae, so-called seaweeds, have recently attracted attention as a possible feedstock for biorefinery. Since macroalgae contain various carbohydrates (which are distinctively different from those of terrestrial biomasses), thorough assessments of macroalgae-based refinery are essential to determine whether applying terrestrial-based technologies to macroalgae or developing completely new technologies is feasible. This comprehensive review was performed to show the potentials of macroalgae as biorefinery feedstocks. Their basic background information was introduced: taxonomical classification, habitat environment, and carbon reserve capacity. Their global production status showed that macroalgae can be mass-cultivated with currently available farming technology. Their various carbohydrate compositions implied that new microorganisms are needed to effectively saccharify macroalgal biomass. Up-to-date macroalgae conversion technologies for biochemicals and biofuels showed that molecular bioengineering would contribute to the success of macroalgae-based biorefinery. It was concluded that more research is required for the utilization of macroalgae as a new promising biomass for low-carbon economy.
ISSN:0960-8524
1873-2976
DOI:10.1016/j.biortech.2012.10.025