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Heterotrophic microalgae production on food waste and by-products

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Abstract

The present review provides an overview of the latest research on microalgae production techniques based on carbon instead of light as energy source. The independence of light in mixotrophic and heterotrophic cultivation considerably reduces production costs and space compared to autotrophic production. Hence, this production technique may play a key role to meet future increasing food and feed demands. In order to reach this aim, it is, however, necessary to explore the possibilities of utilizing low-cost carbon sources such as molasses from industrial waste streams. This review provides an overview of worldwide potentially available low-cost carbon sources, potential microalgae species and their chemical composition, available pre-treatment methods for media sterilization and enhanced bioavailability, latest literature on growth of heterotrophic microalgae cultured on new, innovative low cost carbon sources, non-sterile culture approaches, and finally, economic considerations including a future outlook.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank all students and technical assistants participating in the virtual biotechnology company “TiGer BioTec” of the International Degree Course Industrial and Environmental Biology ISTAB (B.Sc.) at the University of Applied Sciences Bremen (Germany).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Alfred Wegener Institute, Am Handelshafen 12, 27570, Bremerhaven, Germany

    Stephan S. W. Ende

  2. Faculty of Architecture, Construction and Environment, University of Applied Sciences, Neustadtswall 30, 28199, Bremen, Germany

    Anja Noke

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  1. Stephan S. W. Ende
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Correspondence to Stephan S. W. Ende.

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Ende, S.S.W., Noke, A. Heterotrophic microalgae production on food waste and by-products. J Appl Phycol 31, 1565–1571 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-018-1697-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-018-1697-6

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