68
2.7 Conclusion
Microalgae have received noticeable attention in the last years as potential cellular
factories for the production of several products. Microalgae-based processes when
subjected to CO 2 bioconversion into VOCs enable exploitation for many relevant
commercial applications. Associated with this, it is crucial to know first and foremost the structural characterization and morphology of microalgae, metabolic pathways, VOC biosynthesis, and optimization of culture systems. However, some
hurdles must be overcome for these bioprocesses to be successful in the market,
such as improving genetic engineering strategies to boost VOCs production, the
choice of appropriate microalgae strains and the culture systems should be refined
for best cost-benefit results on industrial scales. Besides, volatile molecule recovery
technologies must be designed to follow the photobioreactor scale-up, ensuring an
efficient gathering. Many advances regarding experimental and analytical techniques have been obtained on a laboratory scale to understand the volatile profile of
microalgae. So, if these aspects are addressed in the following years, microalgal
processes could be a springboard for the alternative production of many products of
low environmental impact on different markets.
Acknowledgments The authors are grateful to the National Council for Scientific and
Technological Development of Brazil (CNPq).
Table 2.4 (continued)
Recovery
technology
Technique
Principle
Auxiliary
equipment/
substance
Comments
Supercritical
fluid
extraction
Liquid and/or
solid and
supercritical
fluid
equilibrium
The operation is based on
the use of substances,
under optimized
conditions of pressure and
temperature, above the
critical point
(thermodynamic
principle) as solvents;
they will separate one
component from another
to extract volatile
compounds. The most
widely used supercritical
fluid is carbon dioxide
Storage tank;
compressor;
heater;
cosolvents
Higher selectivity
and velocity;
although initial high
capital expenditures,
operational expenses
would be small, as it
is performed as a
continuous mode
Adapted from Akacha and Gargouri (2015), Saffarionpour and Ottens (2018), Try et al. (2018)
I. A. Severo et al.
2.7 Conclusion
Microalgae have received noticeable attention in the last years as potential cellular
factories for the production of several products. Microalgae-based processes when
subjected to CO 2 bioconversion into VOCs enable exploitation for many relevant
commercial applications. Associated with this, it is crucial to know first and foremost the structural characterization and morphology of microalgae, metabolic pathways, VOC biosynthesis, and optimization of culture systems. However, some
hurdles must be overcome for these bioprocesses to be successful in the market,
such as improving genetic engineering strategies to boost VOCs production, the
choice of appropriate microalgae strains and the culture systems should be refined
for best cost-benefit results on industrial scales. Besides, volatile molecule recovery
technologies must be designed to follow the photobioreactor scale-up, ensuring an
efficient gathering. Many advances regarding experimental and analytical techniques have been obtained on a laboratory scale to understand the volatile profile of
microalgae. So, if these aspects are addressed in the following years, microalgal
processes could be a springboard for the alternative production of many products of
low environmental impact on different markets.
Acknowledgments The authors are grateful to the National Council for Scientific and
Technological Development of Brazil (CNPq).
Table 2.4 (continued)
Recovery
technology
Technique
Principle
Auxiliary
equipment/
substance
Comments
Supercritical
fluid
extraction
Liquid and/or
solid and
supercritical
fluid
equilibrium
The operation is based on
the use of substances,
under optimized
conditions of pressure and
temperature, above the
critical point
(thermodynamic
principle) as solvents;
they will separate one
component from another
to extract volatile
compounds. The most
widely used supercritical
fluid is carbon dioxide
Storage tank;
compressor;
heater;
cosolvents
Higher selectivity
and velocity;
although initial high
capital expenditures,
operational expenses
would be small, as it
is performed as a
continuous mode
Adapted from Akacha and Gargouri (2015), Saffarionpour and Ottens (2018), Try et al. (2018)
I. A. Severo et al.