The role of micoralgae in the bioeconomy

The bioeconomy is a new and essential paradigm for reducing our dependence on natural resources and responding to the environmental threats that the Earth is currently facing. In this regard, microalgae offer almost unlimited possibilities for developing a modern bioeconomy given their metabolic flexibility and high biomass output rates, even when produced under harsh conditions such as when treating wastewaters or using flue gases. In this article, the microalgal contribution to important economic activities such as the production of food and feed, cosmetics and health-related compounds is reviewed. Moreover, microalgae’s potential contribution to emerging sectors is discussed, for instance, in the production of biomaterials, agriculture-related products, biofuels, and providing services such as wastewater treatment and the clean-up of industrial gases. The different microalgal production technologies have also been analyzed to identify the main bottlenecks affecting microalgae use in different applications. Finally, the major challenges facing microalgae biotechnology in enlarging its contribution to the bioeconomy are evaluated, and future trends discussed