Membrane-Based Harvesting Processes for Microalgae and Their Valuable-Related Molecules: A Review

Abstract

The interest in microalgae production deals with its role as the third generation of feedstock to recover renewable energy. Today, there is a need to analyze the ultimate research and advances in recovering the microalgae biomass from the culture medium. Therefore, this review brings the current research developments (over the last three years) in the field of harvesting microalgae using membrane-based technologies (including microfiltration, ultrafiltration and forward osmosis). Initially, the principles of membrane technologies are given to outline the main parameters influencing their operation. The main strategies adopted by the research community for the harvesting of microalgae using membranes are subsequently addressed, paying particular attention to the novel achievements made for improving filtration performance and alleviating fouling. Moreover, this contribution also gives an overview of the advantages of applying membrane technologies for the efficient extraction of the high added-value compounds in microalgae cells, such as lipids, proteins and carbohydrates, which together with the production of renewable biofuels could boost the development of more sustainable and cost-effective microalgae biorefineries.

Effects of high‐pressure pretreatment on acid extraction of pectin from pomelo peel

“…However, fouling may limit its application in membrane purification. Fortunately, researchers have addressed this problem by membrane modification or by applying diafiltration technology (Castro‐Muñoz & García‐Depraect, 2021).…”

Use of Fungal Mycelium as Biosupport in the Formation of Lichen-like Structure: Recovery of Algal Grown in Sugarcane Molasses for Lipid Accumulation and Balanced Fatty Acid Profile

“…A lichen-like strategy for microalgae cultivation shows an optimistic scaling-up potential once its bioreactor cultivation can be related to membrane-bioreactors, whereas the lichen acts as a natural membrane for solid–liquid separation, which opens up the possibility of wastewater treatment and valorization alongside simultaneous low-cost algae harvesting. Studies have indicated the potential of combining algae cultivation and membrane-based technologies (membrane bioreactors, forward osmosis, ceramic membranes and others), which has resulted in efficient harvesting and bioremediation systems [ 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 ].…”

A Review on Current Strategies for Extraction and Purification of Hyaluronic Acid

“…In order to extend the application of membrane technologies in this field, researchers may consider different factors influencing the performance of membrane separation techniques, such as operating parameters (transmembrane pressure, feed temperature, feed flow, membrane pore size), molecular interactions between membrane solutes, and, more importantly, prominent membrane fouling [ 54 , 61 ]. This latter aspect represents one of the main drawbacks of membrane technologies for long-term operation [ 56 , 62 ]. Therefore, new researchers in the field find in this point a potential research gap to further investigate and implement membrane processes in pilot and large-scale approaches.…”