A Comprehensive Review of Biofuel and Bioplastic Production from Microalgae

Environmental pollution is a rising issue that threatens the life of all the living beings on Earth. This issue arises from the combustion of fossil fuels, which emit harmful gases in a phenomenon known as the greenhouse gas effect. These gases can affect the air, the water, and the land in a direct or indirect way. The continuous depletion of fossil fuels, and their associated harmful emissions, have driven scientists and researchers to explore alternative and renewable sources of energy. Among these sources, algae were presented a promising option thanks to their rapid growth and their ability to grow in various water sources including fresh water, salt water and wastewater. Moreover, algae are photosynthetic species that can effectively sequester carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Based on their strain, algae can contain carbohydrates, protein, and lipids, in varying proportions, which can be transformed into biofuels. To achieve this transformation, algae must be cultivated, harvested, then the desired macromolecule is extracted to be converted into biofuel. However, this process is money consuming necessitating the exploration of suitable ways to mitigate the biofuels costs. Value added products such as pigments, cosmetics, nutritional supplements, and bioplastics can be simultaneously synthetized with biofuels to achieve economic benefits. This review aims to give an overview on the production of biofuel and bioplastic from microalgae.

1. Introduction

A large portion of the global energy needs are expected to be supplied in the not-too-distant future by renewable energy sources, which include solar, wind, geothermal, biofuels and other types. Taking advantage of green energy sources is becoming increasingly essential in the global effort to lessen the worldwide effects of climate change.