Algae Biomass Characteristics And Applications

This book is a compendium of knowledge on the useful properties of algae in the context of application as a useful component of innovative natural products. It presents all aspects of industrial applications of macroalgae biomass derived from the natural environment. Despite many interesting characteristics, algae are still regarded as undervalued raw material, therefore, present in the following chapters are not only environmental benefits arising from the development of excessive algal biomass, but also the distribution and biology of algae in natural conditions in reservoirs, methods of obtaining extracts from biomass of algae for industrial purposes. Furthermore, it also includes topics such as the use of biomass and algae extracts for the industrial purposes, in animal breeding and for agricultural purposes, as well as the economic aspects of algae biomass harvesting for industrial purposes. The book is intended for a wide audience interested in new methods of obtaining the biomass from the natural environment for industrial purposes and the manufacture of products based on bioactive substances obtained from the environment.

Microalgae Cultivation for Biofuels Production explores the technological opportunities and challenges involved in producing economically competitive algal-derived biofuel. The book discusses efficient methods for cultivation, improvement of harvesting and lipid extraction techniques, optimization of conversion/production processes of fuels and co-products, the integration of microalgae biorefineries to several industries, environmental resilience by microalgae, and a techno-economic and lifecycle analysis of the production chain to gain maximum benefits from microalgae biorefineries. Provides an overview of the whole production chain of microalgal biofuels and other bioproducts Presents an analysis of the economic and sustainability aspects of the production chain Examines the integration of microalgae biorefineries into several industries

Extensive effort is being made globally to develop various biofuels as an inexhaustible and renewable energy source. Biofuels are viewed as promising alternatives to conventional fossil fuels because they have the potential to eliminate major environmental problems such as global warming and climate change created by fossil fuels. Among the still-developing biofuel technologies, biodiesel production from algae offers a good prospect for large-scale practical use, considering the fact that algae are capable of producing much more yield than other biofuels such as corn and soybean crops. Although research on algae-based biofuel is still in its developing stage, extensive work on laboratory- and pilot-scale algae-harvesting systems with promising prospects has been reported. This chapter presents a discussion of the literature review of recent advances in algal biomass harvesting. The chapter focuses on stability and separability of algae and algae-harvesting methods. Challenges and prospects of algae harvesting are also outlined. The review aims to provide useful information for future development of efficient and commercially viable algal biodiesel production.

Biomass, Biofuels and Biochemicals: Biofuels from Algae, Second Edition provides information on strategies for commercial microalgae based biofuel production, including their cultivation, pre-treatment and conversion methods. The book discusses methods for producing microalgal biomass in large scale by outdoor culturing and outlines new technologies for their use. In addition, it explains how modern genetic engineering enables the generation of recombinant strains that generate higher quantities of feedstock. The complete utilization of microalgal biomass, which can also be obtained from valorizing nutrients from wastewater and industrial exhaust gases, can be efficiently converted to energy rich biofuels and high value pharmaceuticals in a well-defined biorefinery. Includes the current technologies for the cultivation and conversion of energy rich microalgal biomass into biofuels Provides information on all the conversion methods – biochemical and thermochemical conversions Covers other high value products from microalgae and less conventional applications, such as fine chemical production and aviation fuel generation Discusses the economics of microalgal biofuel production and how to accomplish cost competitive results

Designed as the primary reference for the biotechnological use of macroalgae, this comprehensive handbook covers the entire value chain from the cultivation of algal biomass to harvesting and processing it, to product extraction and formulation. In addition to covering a wide range of product classes, from polysaccharides to terpenes and from enyzmes to biofuels, it systematically discusses current and future applications of algae-derived products in pharmacology, medicine, cosmetics, food and agriculture. In doing so, it brings together the expertise of marine researchers, biotechnologists and process engineers for a one-stop resource on the biotechnology of marine macroalgae.

Algae play an important ecological role as oxygen producers and carbon sequesters and are the food base for all aquatic life. Algae are economically important as a source of crude oil, food and feed, and pharmaceutical and industrial products. High-value and sustainable products from algae are already economically viable and can be a fundamental driver for fuel production. Algae in the Bioeconomy provides a detailed overview of the chemical composition of algae and shows that an integrated biorefinery approach is necessary for large-scale algae production and conversion, where multiple products are produced. This book serves as a unique compendium of knowledge covering the essential features of algae and their applications. Discusses the structural chemistry and biology of micro- and macroalgal components Describes classification, occurrence, conversion, and production of micro- and macroalgae Offers strategies for optimal use of micro- and macroalgae in the bioeconomy, including regional strategies in the EU, US, China, India, Malaysia, Norway, and Chile Features forewords from international experts offering both a scientific and an economic/strategic viewpoint This book is intended for an interdisciplinary audience in chemical engineering, biotechnology, and environmental science and engineering, promoting research, development, and application of algae as a sustainable resource.

Environmental change is affecting the world's agricultural productivity. This is coupled with an increase in population: according to the United Nations Department for Economic and Social Affairs, the global population is estimated to reach 9.7 billion by 2050. Therefore, the current situation requires that we develop climate-smart technologies to improve crop productivity to sustain the ever-rising global population. Current-day farmers are introducing a considerable amount of agrochemicals to enhance crop productivity. Indiscriminate agrochemical application has altered not only the soil's physic-chemical and biological properties but also affected human health through food chain contamination. Cyanobacteria, under these changing environmental conditions, may help to resolve the problem significantly without changing the natural soil properties. In spite of their well-known stress tolerance potential, most of the cyanobacterial stress management and signaling pathways are yet to be fully characterized. Therefore, there is an urgent need to explore cyanobacterial metabolism under stress as well as their regulatory pathways to exploit them for sustainable agriculture. In recent decades, the application of cyanobacteria has attracted scientists because of uniqueness, better adaptability, and synthetic products. Diverse cyanobacterial communities with the ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen, together with their photosynthetic properties, have demonstrated their application under field conditions. Several cyanobacterial species have thus been exploited to enhance soil fertility, mitigate biotic and abiotic stress, and contamination management. Cyanobacterial Lifestyle and its Applications in Biotechnology has been designed to discuss different aspects of cyanobacterial physiology with the aim of helping to provide a better understanding of advanced cyanobacterial molecular biology and their metabolism to uncover the potential of cyanobacteria in the tailoring of stress smart crops for sustainable agriculture. Chapters include valuable information about the role of cyanobacteria in the evolution of life, cyanobacterial photosynthesis, stress-tolerant cyanobacterium, biological nitrogen fixation, circadian rhythms, genetics and molecular biology of abiotic stress responses. Summarizes various aspects of cyanobacterial research. Includes comprehensive coverage of molecular approaches for the identification of cyanobacteria and their evolution. Identifies an expanding horizon of cyanobacterial lifestyle: stress management in cyanobacteria. Examines cyanobacteria synthetic biology, genetic engineering, photosynthesis and metabolic engineering.

Biotechnological Applications of Biomass provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of the art of biomass utilization in agriculture and pharmaceuticals. The information contained herein is useful to researchers and other readers interested in biomass utilization and production of bioproducts.