The microalgal sector in Europe: Towards a sustainable bioeconomy
Irene Gallego, Nikola Medić, Jakob Skov Pedersen, Praveen Kumar Ramasamy, Johan Robbens, Elke Vereecke, Jörg Romeis
Abstract
Microalgae are a diverse group of photosynthetic microorganisms that can be exploited to produce sustainable food and feed products, alleviate environmental pollution, or sequester CO 2 to mitigate climate change, among other uses. To optimize resource use and integrate industrial waste streams, it is essential to consider factors such as the biology and cultivation parameters of the microalgal species and strains, as well as the cultivation system and processing technologies employed. This paper reviews the main commercial applications of microalgae (including cyanobacteria) and examines the biological and biotechnological aspects critical to the sustainable processing of microalgal biomass and its derived compounds. We also provide an up-to-date overview of the microalgal sector in Europe considering the strain, cultivation system and commercial application. We have identified 146 different microalgal-derived products from 66 European microalgae producers, and 49 additional companies that provide services and technologies, such as optimization and scalability of the microalgal production. The most widely cultivated microalgae was ‘spirulina’ ( Limnospira spp.), followed by Chlorella spp. and Nannochloropsis spp., mainly for human consumption and cosmetics. The preferred cultivation system in Europe was the photobioreactor. Finally, we discuss the logistic and regulatory challenges of producing microalgae at industrial scale, particularly in the European Union, and discuss the potential of new genomic techniques and bioprocessing to foster a sustainable bioeconomy in the microalgal sector. • Microalgae can counteract the negative effects of industrialization and climate change • Circularity and bioeconomy approaches can be incorporated in microalgae production • Main applications of microalgae in Europe include food supplements, cosmetics and feed • New technologies in the microalgae sector can overcome current challenges in Europe