Biosequestration of atmospheric CO2 and flue gas-containing CO2 by microalgae

Wai Yan Cheah; Pau Loke Show; Jo-Shu Chang; Tau Chuan Ling; Joon Ching Juan

doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2014.11.026

Biosequestration of atmospheric CO2 and flue gas-containing CO2 by microalgae

Bioresour Technol. 2015 May:184:190-201. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2014.11.026. Epub 2014 Nov 20.

Authors

Wai Yan Cheah¹, Pau Loke Show², Jo-Shu Chang³, Tau Chuan Ling¹, Joon Ching Juan⁴

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
² Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus, Jalan Broga, 43500 Semenyih, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia; Manufacturing and Industrial Processes Division, Faculty of Engineering, Centre for Food and Bioproduct Processing, University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus, Jalan Broga, 43500 Semenyih, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia.
³ University Center for Bioscience and Biotechnology, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan; Department of Chemical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan; Research Center for Energy Technology and Strategy, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan.
⁴ Nanotechnology & Catalysis Research Centre (NANOCAT), University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Laboratory of Advanced Catalysis and Environmental Technology, School of Science, Malaysia. Electronic address: jcjuan@um.edu.my.

PMID: 25497054
DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2014.11.026

Abstract

The unceasing rise of greenhouse gas emission has led to global warming and climate change. Global concern on this phenomenon has put forward the microalgal-based CO2 sequestration aiming to sequester carbon back to the biosphere, ultimately reducing greenhouse effects. Microalgae have recently gained enormous attention worldwide, to be the valuable feedstock for renewable energy production, due to their high growth rates, high lipid productivities and the ability to sequester carbon. The photosynthetic process of microalgae uses atmospheric CO2 and CO2 from flue gases, to synthesize nutrients for their growth. In this review article, we will primarily discuss the efficiency of CO2 biosequestration by microalgae species, factors influencing microalgal biomass productions, microalgal cultivation systems, the potential and limitations of using flue gas for microalgal cultivation as well as the bio-refinery approach of microalgal biomass.

Keywords: Biomass production; CO(2) sequestration; Fixation efficiency; Flue gas; Microalgae.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Atmosphere / chemistry*
Biodegradation, Environmental / drug effects
Carbon Dioxide / metabolism*
Carbon Sequestration* / drug effects
Microalgae / drug effects
Microalgae / growth & development
Microalgae / metabolism*
Water Pollutants, Chemical / toxicity

Substances

Water Pollutants, Chemical
Carbon Dioxide