Microalgal Biomass: Introduction and Production Methods

Microalgae are a potential feedstock used for the generation of wide range of metabolic byproducts and value-added products. Compared to other plants that flourish on land, microalgae develop quickly with minimum amounts of nutrients. Besides, they are widely employed in wastewater treatment, carbon sequestration, and biomass production that make the cultivation of microalgae environment friendly. Due to their quick generation period and ease of manufacturing, microalgae are currently receiving massive interest as promising bio factories. Despite various possibilities, the production of microalgae on a large scale is fraught with difficulties, including choosing the right algal strain and biomass-producing techniques, developing practical harvesting methods, and recovering metabolites. Advancements in growing methods and the optimization of growth parameters are required to increase the productivity and profitability of microalgae farming. This chapter describes the diverse methods used to produce, harvest, and treat microalgal biomass after harvest in order to extract metabolites, as well as the current difficulties and potential future applications of microalgal technology industry.