Microalgal culture strategies for biofuel production: a review

In response to the energy crisis, global warming and climate change, microalgae have received a lot of attention as a promising feedstock for the production of biofuels. However, microalgal biofuels are still unaffordable due to low productivity and their substantial requirements in capital investment and operation costs. Much original research regarding the various microalgal cultivation strategies has been reported, in an attempt to promote microalgal biofuel production. However, current literature indicates the fragmented nature of information available regarding the strategies for the improvement of microalgal production for biofuel conversion. From a systematic perspective, this review highlights the main microalgal cultivation strategies for the achievement of improved biomass and biofuel productivity. It first discloses the current state of microalgal production as a biofuel feedstock, giving general introduction to the topic. Subsequently, it summarizes the current microalgae cultivation technology. Microalgal cultivation strategies are then discussed systematically, including integration with wastewater treatment and CO2 mitigation, batch vs. semi-continuous vs. continuous culture, two-stage continuous cultivation, co-culture, stress culture, and microalgal cultivation with harvest water recycling. Finally, concluding remarks are put forward. (C) 2015 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd