A Review on Macroalgal and Microalgal Biomass as Bioethanol Feedstocks

An international team of researchers from Canada (Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique-Eau Terre Environnement), and India (the Government College and the National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology) recently reviewed the capability of macro- and microalgae as feedstocks for bioethanol production.

Owing to the presence of large amounts of carbohydrates embedded in the physiology in algal cells, the utilization of algal biomass as feedstock for bioethanol production is considered promising. The use of oleagenous (oil-bearing) algae, in particular, is an attractive material because its oil can initially be extracted for biodiesel production, and then its high-carbohydrate residue can be processed for ethanol fermentation. Compared to terrestrial plant biomass (which is also a popular biofuel-ethanol feedstock), algae have higher growth rates.

The authors made the review in anticipation of the greater use of macro- and microalgae for bioethanol production in the near future. In their study, they first presented the current scenario of bioethanol production in the world and the problems the industry is facing. Then they discussed the potential of macro- and microalgae as a bioethanol feedstock, from the cultivation stage to the processing stage wherein bioethanol is produced. Finally, they reviewed the roadblocks in using algae as bioethanol feedstock and they attempted to pinpoint keys in overcoming these roadblocks. According to the researchers, the utilization of algal biomass for bioethanol production is undoubtedly a sustainable and eco-friendly approach for renewable biofuel production. The full paper is published in the journal, Bioresource Technology (URL above).