Microalgae cultivation and value-based products from wastewater: insights and applications

Global water scarcity demands innovative wastewater treatment and nutrient recycling methods; wherein microalgae have emerged as a promising solution for efficiently treating wastewater, while yielding valuable biomass for a variety of products. In this context, current focus is based on key aspects involved, e.g. microalgal cultivation utilizing wastewater from diverse sources (industries, agriculture, aquaculture, domestic, urban wastes, etc.) and symbiotic relationships with microbes. It delves into understanding the formation of high-value products from microalgae-based wastewater and estimates the potential benefits of microalgae cultivation through quantitative data analysis. Despite its promising potential the commercialization of microalgae, is hindered by high cultivation cost. The recent emphasis is on phycoremediation of wastewater with simultaneous feedstock generation for biofuels and nutraceuticals, which redirects nutrients to microalgal biomass, offering a sustainable biorefinery approach. This review provides a novel synthesis with recent advancements in microalgae-based wastewater treatment and biorefinery processes, emphasizing new methodologies and integrated approaches that address key challenges and highlight potential for transformative impacts in sustainable resource management and bio-product development.