Handbook of Microalgal Bioprocess Engineering

Microalgal bioprocesses employ microalgae as cellular bioreactors for processing raw materials for the production of valuable products or environmental benefits. With the most efficiency photosynthetic machinery for solar energy capture and CO2 fixation at disposal, microalgae are the only biological species offering the potential for biofuel production for the replacement of fossil fuels globally. They are also regarded by a growing number of experts, although with controversies, as the ultimate resort of human beings in battling the climate change. Last and not the least, microalgae are a rich source of food, animal feed, nutraceutics, pharmaceutics, pigments, and other novel products. While these versatile green cellular bioreactors lend us the weaponry in fighting against the multiple crises facing the world today, it is the obligation of scientists and engineers to develop cost-effective processes to realize the biological potentials of microalgae.