The global population is gradually increasing over time. In 2050, it is estimated that the world population will exceed 10 billion people. Since the existing agricultural systems, land, and natural resources are already maximally exploited, the problem lies in how to feed the increasing population. Climatic changes, environmental pollution, and urbanization have become a great challenge to future agricultural processes. The global temperature rising, extreme weather, changing climatic patterns and loss of arable lands have driven the world to investigate more sustainable pathways to fulfill the global needs in an eco-friendly manner.

The introduction of “Algae Biotechnology" is the newest trend that allows us to overcome these problems in a sustainable and eco-friendly manner. Algal biotechnology is a technology developed using algae. This can be divided into microalgae and macroalgae technology. Here I mainly focus on the applications of microalgae technology. Photosynthetic microalgae are one of the most abandoned communities in the world that can be identified in a vast range of habitats. According to the statistics, more than 200,000 species with numerous ecological adaptations are available in the world.

These phototrophic algae have the advantage of using sunlight to fix atmospheric carbon and reduce their reliance on sugar for fermentation. Many species of microalgae can grow rapidly even under extreme conditions. When thinking about large-scale cultivations, unlike plants, the algae can be cultured in the ponds or photobioreactors by using non-arable lands with less freshwater or even with seawater or wastewater.

The photosynthetic efficiency of the algae is very high compared to crop plants. For example, we can compare algae with sugarcane. One of the most productive plants on the planet is sugarcane, and it can accumulate up to 25 tons of biomass per acre per year. However about 80 percent of that biomass is cellulose, which is not very useful in biofuel production. Algae can accumulate at least twice that biomass, up to 50 tons per acre per year, and that’ll be beneficial. So, we can consider this as a great source to open new chances in order to fulfill a vast number of global needs. Yet most of the people in the world are not aware of the potential of this great source. Therefore the implementation of these industrial applications is relatively low at the present.
Now we will focus on some applications of microalgae biotechnology. Algae biotechnology can be used in producing food and nutraceuticals. Microalgae can act as a source of nutrients, minerals, trace elements, and other bioactive compounds. These are rich sources of bulk protein, carbohydrates, and lipids. With less recourse and effort, by implementing these techniques high-quality protein for human and animal consumption can be produced.

The secondary metabolites obtained from algae can be used to produce expensive pharmaceuticals and pigments for the apparel industry. Another best application of algae biotechnology is the production of biopolymers, bioplastics, and bulk chemicals. Now our planet is almost covered in plastic trash. Plastic was only invented a little more than 60 years ago and yet today there are already 17 trillion pounds of plastic on this planet. This may lead to huge environmental damage. Therefore, the alternatives for petrochemical-based plastics sources are in high demand. Algae have the potential to be an economically viable feedstock for bioplastics production because these biomass compounds such as starch, carbohydrates, and lipids can be converted into plastics. So, in this way, we can produce biodegradable plastics and polymers efficiently at a low cost. Biomass-derived chemicals 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF), levulinic acid, furfurals, sugar alcohols, lactic acid, succinic acid, and phenols, are known as platform chemicals. These are used for producing a variety of important chemicals on an industrial scale. Bio-based bulk chemicals are a good substituent for fossil oil-based bulk chemicals.

Moreover, the presence of emerging contaminants in the environment is a potential risk to ecosystems and human health at environmentally relevant concentrations. Microalgae have the potential to detoxify organic and inorganic pollutants. Coupling of nutrient and emerging contaminants removal by microalgae has the potential to provide more cost-effective and efficient wastewater treatment while meeting both environmental and human health protection goals.

So, algae biotechnology is a great opportunity to fulfill essential human needs while protecting the ecosystems and recovering the environmental issues. I realize it as a key to open the door that blocks the way to the green world. In my opinion, we should pay more attention to these types of alternatives to meet our goals of sustainability.

References
Michele Fabris, Raffaela M. Abbriano,Mathieu Pernice, Donna L. Sutherland, Audrey S. Commault, Christopher C. Hall1, Leen Labeeuw1, Janice I. McCauley, Unnikrishnan Kuzhiuparambil, Parijat Ray, Tim Kahlke, Peter J. Ralph. (2020). Emerging Technologies in Algal Biotechnology: Toward the Establishment of a Sustainable, Algae-Based Bioeconomy. Frontiers In Plant Science

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2020.00279/full

Image Courtesy:
Featured image:
https://cordis.europa.eu/article/id/415760-lab-grown-algae-the-future-of-food
Figure 1:

https://www.chemistryviews.org/details/ezine/8639701/Microalgae__Underestimated_All-Rounders.html
Figure 2:

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/210202714_Application_of_computational_fluid_dynamics_for_modeling_and_designing_photobioreactors_for_microalgae_production_A_review