Biotechnological Approaches to Improve Algal Biofuel and Biochemical Production

Over a decade, increasing population and industrial exploitation of fossil fuels have enhanced the energy exigency. Therefore, to meet the ever-increasing demands of society, there is a need to discover green and sustainable fuels. Currently, a variety of raw materials are available to produce green fuels out of which microalgae, has emerged as a promising source for the production of biofuels and other industrially important biochemicals. Moreover, minimum maintenance, less nutrition requirement, rapid multiplication as compared to plants, and capability to grow on wastewater make them an ideal candidate for sustainable fuel production. However, limited biomass yield and comprehensive oil extraction reduce its economic viability as a raw material. This chapter explores numerous available methods to not only modify the algal strains for amplified production of biofuels but also for some high-value biochemicals including β-Carotene, astaxanthin, carrageenan and others which can be used in several pharmaceutical interventions. In addition to this, genetic manipulations can enhance the overall capability of algal cells to produce and accumulate the desired product in large quantities by altering several metabolic pathways or enzymes convoluted in the synthesis or storage step. Additionally, challenges faced by genetic engineering approaches have also been discussed. From this study, it can be concluded that genetic engineering can enhance the overall capability of algal cells to produce and to accumulate desired products in large quantities by altering certain metabolic pathways or crucial enzymes involved in the synthesis or storage. Nanoparticle-based approach has recently been investigated to overcome the challenges faced by genetic engineering approaches for improved algal bioeconomy.