TY - JOUR
T1 - Analysis of Economic and Environmental Aspects of Microalgae Biorefinery for Biofuels Production
T2 - A Review
AU - Chia, Shir Reen
AU - Chew, Kit Wayne
AU - Show, Pau Loke
AU - Yap, Yee Jiun
AU - Ong, Hwai Chyuan
AU - Ling, Tau Chuan
AU - Chang, Jo Shu
N1 - Funding Information:
This study is supported by the Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (Malaysia, FRGS/1/2015/SG05/UNIM/03/1), the Prototype Research Grant Scheme (PRGS/2/2015/SG05/UNIM/03/1), and SATU Joint Research Scheme (RU018L-2016, RU018O-2016, and RU018C-2016). This work was also supported by Taiwan’s Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) under grant numbers 106-3113-E-006-011, 106-3113-E-006-004-CC2, 106-3114-E-006-008, 106-2621-M-006-007, and 104-2221-E-006-227-MY3.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim
PY - 2018/6
Y1 - 2018/6
N2 - Microalgae are considered promising feedstock for the production of biofuels and other bioactive compounds, yet there are still challenges on commercial applications of microalgae-based products. This review focuses on the economic analysis, environmental impact, and industrial potential of biofuels production from microalgae. The cost of biofuels production remains higher compared to conventional fuel sources. However, integration of biorefinery pathways with biofuels production for the recovery of value-added products (such as antioxidants, natural dyes, cosmetics, nutritional supplements, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and so forth) could substantially reduce the production costs. It also paves the way for sustainable energy resources by significantly reducing the emissions of CO2, NOx, SOx, and heavy metals. Large-scale biofuels production has yet to be successfully commercialized with many roadblocks ahead and heavy competition with conventional fuel feedstock as well as technological aspects. One of the prominent challenges is to develop a cost-effective method to achieve high-density microalgal cultivation on an industrial scale. The biofuels industry should be boosted by Government's support in the form of subsidies and incentives, for addressing the pressing climate change issues, achieving sustainability, and energy security.
AB - Microalgae are considered promising feedstock for the production of biofuels and other bioactive compounds, yet there are still challenges on commercial applications of microalgae-based products. This review focuses on the economic analysis, environmental impact, and industrial potential of biofuels production from microalgae. The cost of biofuels production remains higher compared to conventional fuel sources. However, integration of biorefinery pathways with biofuels production for the recovery of value-added products (such as antioxidants, natural dyes, cosmetics, nutritional supplements, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and so forth) could substantially reduce the production costs. It also paves the way for sustainable energy resources by significantly reducing the emissions of CO2, NOx, SOx, and heavy metals. Large-scale biofuels production has yet to be successfully commercialized with many roadblocks ahead and heavy competition with conventional fuel feedstock as well as technological aspects. One of the prominent challenges is to develop a cost-effective method to achieve high-density microalgal cultivation on an industrial scale. The biofuels industry should be boosted by Government's support in the form of subsidies and incentives, for addressing the pressing climate change issues, achieving sustainability, and energy security.
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U2 - 10.1002/biot.201700618
DO - 10.1002/biot.201700618
M3 - Review article
C2 - 29356369
AN - SCOPUS:85041506595
SN - 1860-6768
VL - 13
JO - Biotechnology Journal
JF - Biotechnology Journal
IS - 6
M1 - 1700618
ER -
