Algal biorefinery: A sustainable approach to valorize algal-based biomass towards multiple product recovery

• Published in: Bioresource technology Vol. 278; pp. 346 - 359
• Main Authors: Chandra, Rashmi, Iqbal, Hafiz M.N., Vishal, Garima, Lee, Hyung-Sool, Nagra, Sunil
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.04.2019
• Subjects: algae; Bio-economy; Bio-products; Bio-refinery complexity index; bioeconomics; biomass; biorefining; drugs; economic sustainability; fuels; research and development; socioeconomics; Sustainability; Technology readiness level; value added; Bio-refinery complexity index; Bio-economy; Technology readiness level; Bio-products; Sustainability
• ISSN: 0960-8524; 1873-2976; 1873-2976
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2019.01.104

•We reviewed algal biorefinery as a sustainable approach to valorize algal biomass.•Algal biomass processing at higher TRL level provide sustainability.•Sustainable biorefinery solutions provide value-added product recovery.•Biorefinery Complexity Index (BCI) is an important indicator to access risks. In recent years, ever-increasing socio-economic awareness, and negative impact of excessive petro consumption have redirected the research interests towards bio-resources such as algal-based biomass. In order to meet current bio-economy challenges to produce high-value multiple products at a time, new integrated processes in research and development are necessary. Though various strategies have been posited for conversion of algal-based biomass to fuel and fine chemicals, none of them has been proved as economically viable and energetically feasible. Therefore, a range of other bio-products needs to be pursued. In this context, the algal bio-refinery concept has appeared with notable solution to recover multiple products from a single operation process. Herein, an algal-based bio-refinery platform for fuel, food, and pharmaceuticals considering Bio-refinery Complexity Index (BCI) has been evaluated, as an indicator of techno-economic risks. This review presents recent developments on algal-biomass utilization for various value-added products as part of an integrated bio-refinery.