Third Generation Biorefineries: An Approach towards a Sustainable Future

Abstract

Microalgae are the broad range of photosynthetic autotrophs that are found both in fresh and marine water bodies worldwide. Microalgae are the known for producing value added products via the sequestration of carbon dioxide. This production is supported by other salient features like higher light conversion efficiency, higher substrate conversion efficiency, higher biomass productivities and shorter generation time. Microalgae biomass can be contemplated as a microbial cell factory that potentially biosynthesize wide range of value-added biomolecules like biopigments, therapeutic compounds, bioenergy, food, food supplements, animal feeds, biofertilizers and cosmetics etc. Sustainable industrial and biorefinery implications becomes feasible because of the multifaceted utility of microalgal biomass. The ultimate aim of a biorefinery is to sustainably transform biomass into a wide range of significant chemicals, fuels, and materials. Bio-renewables industry is empowered by third-generation (3G) biorefinery whose principal components are algal feedstock i.e., microalgae and macroalgae. Still, algal feedstock are the chief producers of pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals and cosmetics.