Macroeconomics

Context (archaeology)

Catalysis

Engineering

Ecology

Biology

Environmental economics

Value added

Algae fuel

Refinery

Economics

Biochemistry

Business

Biodiesel

Paleontology

Biochemical engineering

Waste management

Environmental engineering

Biofuel

Biomass (ecology)

Environmental science

Biorefinery

Chemistry

Bioresource Technology

In recent years, ever-increasing socio-economic awareness, and negative impact of excessive petro consumption have redirected the research interests towards bio-resources such as algal-based biomass. In order to meet current bio-economy challenges to produce high-value multiple products at a time, new integrated processes in research and development are necessary. Though various strategies have been posited for conversion of algal-based biomass to fuel and fine chemicals, none of them has been proved as economically viable and energetically feasible. Therefore, a range of other bio-products needs to be pursued. In this context, the algal bio-refinery concept has appeared with notable solution to recover multiple products from a single operation process. Herein, an algal-based bio-refinery platform for fuel, food, and pharmaceuticals considering Bio-refinery Complexity Index (BCI) has been evaluated, as an indicator of techno-economic risks. This review presents recent developments on algal-biomass utilization for various value-added products as part of an integrated bio-refinery.

Algal biorefinery: A sustainable approach to valorize algal-based biomass towards multiple product recovery