Handbook of Microalgal Culture: Applied Phycology and Biotechnology

Study of algae is known as Phycology. Algae are of two types - macro algae and micro algae. Microalgae are unicellular organisms that consist of both prokaryotic and eukaryotic forms. Microalgae represent a sustainable source of natural products. Over 15,000 novel compounds have been identified in microalgae. Microalgae include cyanobacteria, (blue-green algae) green, brown and red algae. Most of micro algae grow in aquatic environments, but there are a few species that can grow in the most extreme environments. Microalgae are mostly autotrophic (grow through photosynthesis ) but few are heterotrophic (algae that grows in dark using sugar or starch), or even mixotrophic (combine both growth modes). Micro algae are most promising sources of biomass and oils for fuel, food, feed, and other co-products. Some of the products produced by micro algae include Carotenoids, fatty acids, antioxidants, polymers, sterols, enzymes and biofuels. Due to their fast growth ability, consumption of CO2 and ability to store significant amounts of energy rich compounds micro algae are gaining importance in recent times. Today cultured microalgae is used as direct feed for humans and land-based farm animals, and as feed for cultured aquatic species such as molluscs and the early larval stages of fish and crustaceans. It is a potential candidate for biofuel production. Microalgae can grow 20 or 30 times faster than traditional food crops, and has no need to compete for arable land. Since microalgal production is central to so many commercial applications, there is a need for production techniques which increase productivity and are economically profitable. The production of algae for high-value markets (aquaculture, food supplements, nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals) will be developed through the search for, isolation and cultivation of new algal strains endowed with the activity of interest. Algal biomass might become an important source of biofuels, especially if its production will be carried out in low-cost photobioreactors and associated with wastewater treatment and greenhouse gas abatement. Handbook of Microalgal Culture: Applied Phycology and Biotechnology highlights some of the parameters established, models, techniques and methods developed for the improvement of micro algae cultivation and micro algae application. The state of the art of microalgae biotechnology, particularly focusing on new culture techniques and actual and potential uses of microalgae in human and animal nutrition, in cosmetics and pharmaceutics, and for environmental applications, is described. There should not be any doubt that microalgal culture has an exciting future. In comparison with terrestrial agriculture we are just beginning. There has been a rapid expansion in capability over the last 50 years and every reason to think it will continue to expand. There are many compounds of commercial potential in microalgae and finding economically viable methods of producing them will challenge future generations.