Recent Trends and Developments in Algal Biofuels and Biorefinery

Abstract

Microalgal biomass has been harvested to extract various biomolecules for the production of various high-value products. Mostly these biomolecules accumulate in cells of microalgae demanding effective extraction technologies, separation, and characterization. However, the main hindrance is the economic feasibility of the production of high-value products (biofuels, biomethane, bioactive compounds, biopolymers, etc.) using microalgal biomass. Current advances in techniques for extractions (ultrasound-assisted extraction, supercritical fluid extraction) using no solvents are at the development stage for large-scale and sustainable approaches for desired biomolecules using microalgae. The characterization techniques like supercritical fluid chromatography, thin-layer chromatography, and gas chromatography of desired products are essential for the quality, purity, and desirability of products being focused on for production. This chapter provides knowledge reported in the literature, emphasising recent extraction, separation, and characterization of biomolecules from microalgal biomass. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2024.