Recent advances in conventional and genetically modified macroalgal biomass as substrates in bioethanol production: a review

Abstract

To address expanding issues related to global climate change and rising conventional fuel prices, bioethanol stands to be a viable green resource as an eco-fuel to fulfil power requirements for transport. The search for third-generation bioethanol feedstock made from marine algae, which is sustainable as a feedstock for bioethanol and has positive effects on both the environment and food security. The current review presents a critical analysis and gives a full description of the sequential method for producing bioethanol from macroalgae and derived rejects, and recent advances in the production of biofuels using genetic engineering. The economic viability of algae-derived biofuel is dependent on production costs, which might be reduced by creating valuable secondary by-products, which is the goal of current algal biofuel research. Clean energy is the primary amenity and making it affordable is one of the goals of sustainable development. Achieving this with local populations through skill development and training to contribute towards Sustainable Development Goals 1 and 7 has been explained. Future technologies will harness the cost-effectiveness of sustainable bioethanol by having the capability for maximal extraction capacity and minimal downstream processing utilizing low-cost feedstock.

Keywords:

• macroalgae
• pretreatment
• fermentation
• biofuels
• bioethanol

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by the Ministry of Human Resource Development, India.