The author presents a state-of-the-art account of research in algal production and utilization. Dr Becker provides a compilation of the different methods employed worldwide for the artificial cultivation of different microalgae, including recipes for culture media, description of outdoor and indoor cultivation systems as well as harvesting and procesing methods. The book will be essential reading for advanced undergraduates, postgraduates and researchers in the field.

This book addresses microalgae, which represent a very promising biomass resource for wastewater treatment and producing biofuels. Accordingly, microalgae are also an expanding sector in biofuels and wastewater treatment, as can be seen in several high-profile start-ups from around the globe, including Solix Biofuels, Craig Venter’s Synthetic Genomics, PetroSun, Chevron Corporation, ENN Group etc. In addition, a number of recent studies and patent applications have confirmed the value of modern microalgae for biofuels production and wastewater treatment systems. However, substantial inconsistencies have been observed in terms of system boundaries, scope, the cultivation of microalgae and oil extraction systems, production costs and economic viability, cost-lowering components, etc. Moreover, the downstream technologies and core principles involved in liquid fuel extraction from microalgae cells are still in their early stages, and not always adequate for industrial production. Accordingly, multilateral co-operation between universities, research institutes, governments, stakeholders and researchers is called for in order to make microalgae biofuels economical. Responding to this challenge, the book begins with a general introduction to microalgae and the algae industry, and subsequently discusses all major aspects of microalgal biotechnology, from strain isolation and robust strain development, to biofuel development, refinement and wastewater treatment.

Antenna Mutants, Domestication, by Roberto Bassi Heterotrophic Cultivation, by William McCaffrey Chlorella for industrial applications: Advances and prospective, by Feng Chen Carotinoide, by Carola Griehl Engineering the algal chloroplast for synthesis of therapeutic proteins, by Saul Purton Design Concepts and recent developments of photobioreactors, by Clemens Posten Efficiency of flat plate reactors, by Mario Tredici Measuring modelling and control, by Olivier Bernard Microalgae in Life Support Systems, by Klaus Slenzka Heterotrophic oil production, by Makato Watanabe

In the recent past, many advances have been made in the field of biology and biotechnology of algae, especially microalgae. This book includes chapters on taxonomy, diversity and physiology of blue-green algae as these organisms are most important from biotechnological point of view. Use of algae as biofertilizer, source of natural colours, bioactive compounds, phytochemicals with pharmaceutical and biotechnological applications, food and feed has been discussed. Environmental pollution is the major problem all over the world. The potential of algae in combating water pollution is also highlighted. Depleting fossil fuel is another concern and it is felt that there is a need for alternative renewable resources. Algae as a potential source of biofuel are also discussed in this book

With the high interest in renewable resources, the field of algal biotechnology has undergone a huge leap in importance in recent years. The book treats the biological fundamentals of microalgal biotechnology in physiology and molecular biology and provides an overview of applications and products. It furthermore includes a survey of the state-of-the-art in process engineering of algae cultivation starting with mass production in open ponds and leading you to advanced technologies in closed photobioreactors. Thus crucial enabling technologies reaching from genetic manipulation to bioprocess engineering are reviewed. Contributions from academia and industrial case studies make this book a comprehensive survey of current progress in microalgae biotechnology. So this book will be of interest to active people in biology, biotechnology, and engineering in the area of sustainable production of high value products or mass production of food and fuel for the future.

Microalgae are microscopic algae, typically found in freshwater and marine systems. Microalgae, capable of performing photosynthesis, are important for life on earth; they produce approximately half of the atmospheric oxygen and use simultaneously the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide to grow photoautotrophically. The biodiversity of microalgae is enormous and they represent an almost untapped resource. In this book, the authors present current research in the study of microalgae, including microalgal biotechnological applications in nutrition, health and the environment; using microalgae biomass for biodiesel and biofuel production and microalgae for aquaculture.