8.7.4 Biomethanol: Efficient Biofuel from Microalgae
The biomethanol can be blended with petrol or can be used as a feedstock for other
environmentally friendly fuels. The fuels burning methane produce less carbon
dioxide per unit of heat released, thereby reducing the pollution which is practically
not feasible in the conventional process (Shuba and Kifle 2018).
8.7.5 Production of Biobutanol from Microalgae
The green waste left from the algae oil extraction can be used for the production of
butanol. It has an energy density similar to gasoline and higher than either ethanol or
methanol. It can be used in as a replacement of gasoline in gasoline engines without
any modifications (Ullah et al. 2015; Maiti et al. 2016).
8.7.6 Utilization of Microalgae as Animal Feed
The microalgae have been used as animal feed, and in order to prove it is harmless
and safe for human consumption, various toxicological tests were performed.
Microalgae are categorized as unconventional sources of protein and for these the
toxicological tests are necessary. The various investigations confirm that the algal
proteins have high quality as compared to the plant proteins. A series of nutritional
and toxicological tests have demonstrated that microalgae can be used as supplement
of protein in the animal feed. The algal biomass is highly effective and can easily
substitute the conventional sources of protein such as fish meal, soybean meal, rice
bran, etc. The commercial use of these microalgae is mainly in the poultry as these
can be easily incorporated into the poultry rations and provide suitably efficient
results (Brennan and Owende 2010). Among various algae, Arthrospira is the most
common strain which is used as a protein source for domestic animals (e.g., dogs,
horses, cats, aquarium and ornamental fish, breeding bulls, cows) (Spolaore et al.
2006). The microalgae affect the physiology of these animals in many ways, such as
increasing the immune response; providing vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty
acid; and increasing their fertility. Similarly, they also affect their external appearance by providing them with lustrous coat and healthy skin (Spolaore et al. 2006).
8.7.7 Carbon Dioxide Sequestration via Microalgae
Two main strategies are available for the mitigation of emitted carbon dioxide
(Wang et al. 2008; Mata et al. 2010): the first strategy relies on the chemical reaction
and the second strategy on biological mitigation. The former is energy consuming
and thereby a costly process. It is also not eco-friendly as the carbon dioxide
captured in this process needs to be disposed in an appropriate manner (Mata et al.
2010). Alternatively, the biological mitigation produces biomass energy while
8 Algal Biomass: Potential Renewable Feedstock for Biofuels Production – Part I
225
The biomethanol can be blended with petrol or can be used as a feedstock for other
environmentally friendly fuels. The fuels burning methane produce less carbon
dioxide per unit of heat released, thereby reducing the pollution which is practically
not feasible in the conventional process (Shuba and Kifle 2018).
8.7.5 Production of Biobutanol from Microalgae
The green waste left from the algae oil extraction can be used for the production of
butanol. It has an energy density similar to gasoline and higher than either ethanol or
methanol. It can be used in as a replacement of gasoline in gasoline engines without
any modifications (Ullah et al. 2015; Maiti et al. 2016).
8.7.6 Utilization of Microalgae as Animal Feed
The microalgae have been used as animal feed, and in order to prove it is harmless
and safe for human consumption, various toxicological tests were performed.
Microalgae are categorized as unconventional sources of protein and for these the
toxicological tests are necessary. The various investigations confirm that the algal
proteins have high quality as compared to the plant proteins. A series of nutritional
and toxicological tests have demonstrated that microalgae can be used as supplement
of protein in the animal feed. The algal biomass is highly effective and can easily
substitute the conventional sources of protein such as fish meal, soybean meal, rice
bran, etc. The commercial use of these microalgae is mainly in the poultry as these
can be easily incorporated into the poultry rations and provide suitably efficient
results (Brennan and Owende 2010). Among various algae, Arthrospira is the most
common strain which is used as a protein source for domestic animals (e.g., dogs,
horses, cats, aquarium and ornamental fish, breeding bulls, cows) (Spolaore et al.
2006). The microalgae affect the physiology of these animals in many ways, such as
increasing the immune response; providing vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty
acid; and increasing their fertility. Similarly, they also affect their external appearance by providing them with lustrous coat and healthy skin (Spolaore et al. 2006).
8.7.7 Carbon Dioxide Sequestration via Microalgae
Two main strategies are available for the mitigation of emitted carbon dioxide
(Wang et al. 2008; Mata et al. 2010): the first strategy relies on the chemical reaction
and the second strategy on biological mitigation. The former is energy consuming
and thereby a costly process. It is also not eco-friendly as the carbon dioxide
captured in this process needs to be disposed in an appropriate manner (Mata et al.
2010). Alternatively, the biological mitigation produces biomass energy while
8 Algal Biomass: Potential Renewable Feedstock for Biofuels Production – Part I
225