review · Bioresource Technology
Upstream processing forms the foundational stage of microalgae cultivation. Key stages in this workflow include selecting cultivation modes, designing photobioreactors, preparing culture media, controlling environmental factors, maintaining microalgae seed supplies, and monitoring organism growth. A synthesis of current literature details the operational working volumes of diverse bioreactor configurations and specifies the elemental compositions of established formulated growth media. Additionally, the role of varied wastewater streams as alternative cultivation media is surveyed alongside critical environmental variables that govern culture performance. Examining these upstream parameters clarifies the benefits linked to specific operational choices. The consolidated evidence also outlines persistent operational challenges, identifies existing knowledge gaps across upstream workflows, and suggests clear priorities for future research.
Microalgae cultivation holds significant potential for biological production and wastewater treatment. Establishing clear parameters for bioreactor design, nutrient media, and environmental controls allows researchers and practitioners to optimise growth conditions. Clarifying upstream bottlenecks helps guide targeted technical improvements across foundational cultivation stages.
The abstract details foundational parameters for microalgae cultivation, relevant to operators designing photobioreactors and utilising wastewater media. While it highlights engineering factors such as working volumes and cultivation modes, it synthesises existing literature rather than presenting an applied or tested technology ready for deployment. Consequently, the work represents early-stage technical guidance for developers seeking to refine cultivation protocols and identify research priorities.
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The aim of this review is to provide insights into the upstream processing of microalgae, and to highlight the advantages of each step. This review discusses the most important steps of the upstream processing in microalgae research such as cultivation modes, photobioreactors design, preparation of culture medium, control of environmental factors, supply of microalgae seeds and monitoring of microalgal growth. An extensive list of bioreactors and their working volumes used, elemental composition of some well-known formulated cultivation media, different types of wastewater used for microalgal cultivation and environmental variables studied in microalgae research has been compiled in this review from the vast literature. This review also highlights existing challenges and knowledge gaps in upstream processing of microalgae and future research needs are suggested.
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DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2021.124870
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