Enhanced microalgal lipid production for biofuel using different strategies including genetic modification of microalgae: A review
Open accessAbstract
Microalgae have gained considerable attention as an alternative feedstock for the biofuel production, particularly in combination with genetic modification strategies that target enhanced lipid productivity. To tackle climate change issues, phasing out the usage of fossil fuels is seen as a priority, where the utilization of biofuel from microalgae serves as a potential sustainable energy source for various applications. These photosynthetic microalgae utilize solar energy and carbon dioxide to produce energy-rich compounds (i.e., starch and lipids), that can be further converted into biofuels of different types. Among different types of biofuels, biodiesel from the transesterification of triacylglycerols stands out as the most sustainable replacement of transportation fuel over fossil-based petroleum diesel. However, hurdles such as limited productivity, overall production cost and challenges in upscaling the algal technology leaves a huge gap on the road to commercialized microalgae-based biofuel. This review article first presents a comprehensive overview of imperative knowledge regarding microalgae in terms of algal classification, factors affecting the growth of microalgae during cultivation and different steps in upstream processing. This review also discusses recent advances in downstream processing of microalgal biorefinery. Additionally, this review paper focuses on deliberating various recent strategies of genetic modifications and their feasibility for enhanced lipid productivity in microalgae. Finally, the current challenges and future perspectives of microalgae-based biofuels are highlighted in this review discussing several aspects, including sustainability of microalgae-based biofuel production, current status of algae-based industry, risks and legislation considerations of genetic modification of microalgae.
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The 5% bioethanol-petrol blend does not require engine adjustments and may be used at higher levels.
“This blend does not require any engine adjustments and may be used at higher levels.”
From Biofuel production: exploring renewable energy solutions for a greener future (2024) · cites this paper as [85]
The EU quality standard specifies a 5% blend of bioethanol and petrol.
“The EU quality standard specifies a 5% blend of bioethanol and petrol.”
From Biofuel production: exploring renewable energy solutions for a greener future (2024) · cites this paper as [85]
The United States generates the most ethanol (10% ethanol, 90% petrol), followed by Brazil (27% ethanol).
“The United States (US) generates the most ethanol (10% ethanol, 90% petrol), followed by Brazil (27% ethanol) [1, 85].”
From Biofuel production: exploring renewable energy solutions for a greener future (2024) · cites this paper as [85]
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References 380 · Cited by 363
- Authors
- Khoo, K. S., Ahmad, I., Chew, K. W., Iwamoto, K., Bhatnagar, A., & Show, P. L.
- Affiliations
- University of Cyberjaya (MY)
- University of Technology Malaysia (MY)
- Nanyang Technological University (SG)
- Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology (FI)
- Wenzhou University (CN)
- Corresponding author
- Bhatnagar, Amit
- Show, Pau Loke
- Venue
- Progress in Energy and Combustion Science
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2023-05
- Volume
- 96
- Pages
- 101071
- ISSN
- 0360-1285 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W4322488409
- Cited by
- 363
- References
- 380
- Citations by year
- 2026: 81 · 2025: 130 · 2024: 104 · 2023: 48
- FWCI
- 17.37
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- hybrid
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Progress in Energy and Combustion Science (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- DR-NTU (Nanyang Technological University) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Energy › Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment › Algal biology and biofuel production
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Microbial Metabolic Engineering and Bioproduction
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Biochemistry › Lipid metabolism and biosynthesis
- Keywords
- microalgae, microalgal lipid production, biodiesel, triglycerides, algal biorefinery, downstream processing, microalgae cultivation, algal taxonomy, biofuel sustainability, genetic modification regulation
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