What are the bioactive compounds of algae?
Algae contain a vast array of biologically active compounds (polyunsaturated fatty acids [PUFAs], vitamins [B group], carotenoids, polyphenols, dietary fiber, polysaccharides, proteins; natural plant growth compounds, such as auxins, gibberellins, and cytokinins [2, 20]) having a potential of industrial application ( …
Is microalgae a biomass?
Commercial-scale cultivation of microalgae is an indispensable part of the biomass generation process and photobioreactors play a vital role in the efficient production of microalgal biomass in the most profitable way.
What are the main advantages of using microalgae as a starting biomass?
Microalgae offer many advantages unlike the conventional techniques including high metal removal efficiency even at low metal concentrations, adaptive nature to grow under stress condition, and free of toxic sludge generation.
What are secondary metabolites in algae?
Even though, alga produces secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, terpenoids, and phenazines [4]. In addition to secondary metabolites, algae contain proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, polysaccharides, polyols, and phycobiliproteins etc [5-8].
Why is metabolism important for microalgae survival?
Algal metabolism is versatile to produce pigments that have the property of being used as antioxidants, pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, etc. Algal biomass after extracting the biodiesel can be used as carbon source for other fermentation process as biofertilizer, animal feed, biochar, biofuels, etc.
How do microalgae produce energy?
Microalgae can complete the whole growth cycle in limited days by way of photosynthesis process that alters sun energy into chemical energy. They grow in fresh water, seawater, wastewater or non-arable lands [5]. Therefore, they have minimal environmental effect such as deforestation.
Which of the following are reasons why microalgae might be a good source of biofuel?
The Advantages of Microalgal Biodiesel
- High biomass productivity. Microalgae have been demonstrated to possess higher efficiency is photosynthesis and adaption to stressful conditions.
- High oil yields. Microalgae contain storage oils at more than 50% of dry cell weight.
- Less usage of arable land and fresh water.
What is the difference between microalgae and macroalgae?
The key difference between macroalgae and microalgae is that macroalgae are large and multicellular aquatic photosynthetic plant-like organisms while microalgae are small and unicellular aquatic photosynthetic plant-like organisms. They are mostly aquatic and autotrophic in nature.
What is cyanobacterial Biofertilizer?
Cyanobacteria have an emerged potential as biofertilizer. They have the ability to utilize CO2, water, and nutrients to convert solar energy into biomass. Efficient applications of cyanobacteria have been reported in agricultural practices to reduce global warming by decreasing CO2 gas.