Cited by 55Algal biology and biofuel productionAquatic Ecosystems and Phytoplankton DynamicsAquaculture Nutrition and Growth

A Critical Review on the Status and Progress of Microalgae Cultivation in Outdoor Photobioreactors Conducted over 35 Years (1986–2021)

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Sarker, Nilay Kumar, Kaparaju, Prasad·2023·Energies

Abstract

Microalgae, a renewable bio-resource, are considered a potential value-added commodity and a tool to combat climate change. Microalgal research has received worldwide attention recently. Different perspectives have been explored, but cultivation in outdoor photobioreactors (PBRs) is still a less explored field. This review summarizes the studies conducted on the microalgae cultivated in outdoor PBRs only. The locations, algal strains, PBRs, and cultivation media used in these studies were identified and tabulated. Different aspects of outdoor algal cultivation in PBRs, such as temperature control, light intensity control, photosynthetic efficiency (PE), the outdoor adaptation of strains, PBR designs, and algal growth and biochemical composition variation from the weather, were studied and reviewed. A brief review of downstream processes and environmental and economic impacts was also conducted. This review summarizes what has been carried out in this field so far and will help researchers to determine what further work needs to be conducted and in which direction to proceed.

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Authors
Sarker, N. K., & Kaparaju, P.
Affiliations
Griffith University (AU)
Corresponding author
Kaparaju, Prasad
Venue
Energies
Publisher
MDPI AG
Published
2023-03-29
Volume
16
Issue
7
Pages
3105
ISSN
1996-1073 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W4361280977
Cited by
55
References
143
Citations by year
2026: 12 · 2025: 20 · 2024: 17 · 2023: 6
FWCI
2.63
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Energies (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Griffith Research Online (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Energy › Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment › Algal biology and biofuel production
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Environmental Chemistry › Aquatic Ecosystems and Phytoplankton Dynamics
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Aquatic Science › Aquaculture Nutrition and Growth
Keywords
microalgae cultivation, outdoor photobioreactor, microalgae, temperature control, light intensity control, photosynthetic efficiency, photobioreactor design, algal growth, biochemical composition, downstream processing, environmental impact, economic impact

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