Cited by 8Algal biology and biofuel productionRuminant Nutrition and Digestive PhysiologyAquaculture Nutrition and Growth

Whole cell microalgae: potential to transform industry waste into sustainable ruminant feed

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Picknell, Kira J., Poddar, Nature, McCauley, Janice I., Chaves, Alexandre V., Ralph, Peter J.·2025·Bioresource Technology

Abstract

• Microalgae may offer dual benefits, lowering carbon dioxide and methane emissions. • Microalgae capture CO 2 from breweries, converting it into nutrient-rich biomass. • Microalgae and brewers spent grain could create anti-methanogenic ruminant feed. • Scaling microalgae for commercial feed faces regulatory and logistical barriers. • Microalgae could turn industrial waste into a climate‐positive feed resource. Microalgae offer an innovative solution for utilizing industrial waste to produce sustainable ruminant feed. With strong carbon capture capabilities, they play a vital role in biological carbon capture and utilization. Advances in biotechnology enable the use of industrial waste streams, offering a pathway to reducing carbon emissions and cultivation costs. Extensive research highlights microalgae’s nutritional and anti-methanogenic benefits for ruminants, yet they remain commercially unutilized in feed. To address cultivation limitations, this review explores advancements in algae carbon capture biotechnology and proposes brewery waste to support algae cultivation. In addition, the challenges and bottlenecks that remain to be overcome for future commercial translation of this strategy are presented. This review establishes a theoretical solution for integrating microalgae into high-emission industries like breweries and utilization of algae biomass to reduce agricultural emissions.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.biortech.2025.132547

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136 of 136 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • Studies show that microalgae cultivation can fix between 1.83 and 1.88 kg of CO2 per kilogram of dry biomass produced, contributing significantly to the net reduction of greenhouse gas release when associated with industrial carbon sources.

    “Studies show that microalgae cultivation can fix between 1.83 and 1.88 kg of CO2 per kilogram of dry biomass produced, contributing significantly to the net reduction of greenhouse gas release when associated with industrial carbon sources (You et al., 2022; Picknell et al., 2025).”

    From Microalgae biotechnology and its role in sustainable and healthy food design (2025) · cites this paper as Picknell et al., 2025

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Authors
Picknell, K. J., Poddar, N., McCauley, J. I., Chaves, A. V., & Ralph, P. J.
Affiliations
University of Technology Sydney (AU)
Corresponding author
Poddar, Nature
Venue
Bioresource Technology
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2025-08
Volume
430
Pages
132547
ISSN
0960-8524 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W4409450138
Cited by
8
References
137
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 3
FWCI
0.37
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Bioresource Technology (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
Meat and Livestock Australia
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Energy › Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment › Algal biology and biofuel production
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Agronomy and Crop Science › Ruminant Nutrition and Digestive Physiology
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Aquatic Science › Aquaculture Nutrition and Growth
Keywords
microalgae, brewer's spent grain, ruminant feed, CO2 capture, CO2 utilization, brewery waste, industrial waste valorization, methane mitigation, algae cultivation, commercialization barriers
MeSH terms
Animals, Animal Feed, Biotechnology, Industrial Waste, Ruminants, Biomass, Biofuels, Microalgae

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