Phycoremediation Coupled with Generation of Value-Added Products

Both cyanobacteria and eukaryotic microalgae are yielding promising technologies for the sustainable production of products related to food, feed, biomaterials, and fuels. In what is known as the "biorefinery concept," the growth of photoautotrophic microorganisms can be coupled with the remediation of pollutants and the treatment of wastewater, resulting in the generation of value-added products from materials that were previously considered waste. Photosynthetic microorganisms possess higher growth rates compared to plants, and their production facilities can easily function on nonarable land, saving both land and water resources. In this chapter, we summarize the potential that cyanobacteria and microalgae hold to improve processes and products across industries related to waste management, agriculture, sustainable energy, and more. We additionally assess the ongoing biotechnological and genomic advancements that will further facilitate production of cyanobacteria and microalgae in a way that successfully meets both increasing societal energy needs and sustainability requirements. © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.