Exploring the Impact of Environmental Conditions and Bioreactors on Microalgae Growth and Applications

Abstract

Microalgae and their bioproducts have diverse applications, including wastewater remediation, CO2 fixation, and the synthesis of nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, and biofuels. However, the production of these organisms heavily relies upon environmental conditions, which can significantly impact growth. Furthermore, microalgae cultivation itself can be a source of economic and environmental concerns. Thus, microalgae growth systems have become a critical consideration for both research and industry, to bolster microalgae cultivation and address its accompanying issues. Both open and closed systems, such as raceway ponds and photobioreactors, respectively, are commonly used during the growth process but have their own advantages and drawbacks. However, for microalgae growth, photobioreactors may address most concerns as the system’s design lowers the risk of contamination and provides the ability to control the delivery of desired growth factors. To determine the appropriate system for targeted microalgae cultivation, it is crucial to determine factors such as the scale of cultivation and growth and productivity targets. Additionally, efficient usage of these growth systems and carefully selected incubation factors can aid in addressing some of the economic and environmental issues associated with microalgae production. This review will summarize the current applications of bioreactors in both research and industrial capacities and summarize growth and incubation factors for microalgae.