Introduction to Environment-Friendly Bioprocesses by Microalgae and Cyanobacteria

Microalgae include diverse organisms with different cellular structures (prokaryotic and eukaryotic), the capability to grow in diverse ecosystems (sea, rivers, lakes, lagoons, soil, etc.), and the possibility of performing autotrophic, mixotrophic, and heterotrophic metabolism. This diversity is the reason for their ability to produce and accumulate different compounds, many of which have the potential to be used in industrial processes. These compounds include lipids, proteins, amino acids, carotenoids, biofuels, adsorbents (carbons), polyunsaturated fatty acids, and animal feeds. In addition, processes based on microalgae can capture carbon dioxide (CO2), eliminate pollutants (such as nitrogen, phosphorous, and heavy metals), or even utilize biomass as feed for livestock. Nevertheless, the growth conditions, induction process, and extraction and purification strategies are specific to every strain. This book aims to include recent developments in environment-friendly processes derived from microalgae and cyanobacteria.