Handbook of Microalgae-Based Processes and Products: Fundamentals and Advances in Energy, Food, Feed, Fertilizer, and Bioactive Compounds

The Handbook of Microalgae-based Processes and Products provides a complete overview of all aspects involved in the production and utilization of microalgae resources at commercial scale. Divided into four parts (fundamentals, microalgae-based processes, microalgae-based products, and engineering approaches applied to microalgal processes and products), the book explores the microbiology and metabolic aspects of microalgae, microalgal production systems, wastewater treatment based in microalgae, CO2 capture using microalgae, microalgae harvesting techniques, and extraction and purification of biomolecules from microalgae. It covers the largest number of microalgal products of commercial relevance, including biogas, biodiesel, bioethanol, biohydrogen, single-cell protein, single-cell oil, biofertilizers, pigments, polyunsaturated fatty acids, bioactive proteins, peptides and amino acids, bioactive polysaccharides, sterols, bioplastics, UV-screening compounds, and volatile organic compounds. Moreover, it presents and discusses the available engineering tools applied to microalgae biotechnology, such as process integration, process intensification, and techno-economic analysis applied to microalgal processes and products, microalgal biorefineries, life cycle assessment, and exergy analysis of microalgae-based processes and products.

The coverage of a broad range of potential microalgae processes and products in a single volume makes this handbook an indispensable reference for engineering researchers in academia and industry in the fields of bioenergy, sustainable development, and high-value compounds from biomass, as well as graduate students exploring those areas. Engineering professionals in bio-based industries will also find valuable information here when planning or implementing the use of microalgal technologies.

• Covers theoretical background information and results of recent research.
• Discusses all commercially relevant microalgae-based processes and products.
• Explores the main emerging engineering tools applied to microalgae processes, including techno-economic analysis, process integration, process intensification, life cycle assessment, and exergy analyses.

Prof. Eduardo Jacob-Lopes is a professor at the Department of Food Technology and Science, Federal University of Santa Maria, Brazil. He has more than 18 years of teaching and research experience. He is a technical and scientific consultant of several companies, agencies, and scientific journals. He has more than 600 publications/communications and has registered 15 patents. His research interest includes biotechnology and bioengineering with emphasis on microalgal biotechnology.

Dr. Mariana Manzoni Maroneze is currently a researcher at the Institute of Biotechnology, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico. She has published more than 65 scientific publications/communications, which include a book, book chapters, original research papers, research communications in national and international conferences, and patents. She acts as a reviewer for several international journals. Her research focuses on microalgae-based process and products.

Dr. Maria Isabel Queiroz is a retired professor at the Department of Chemistry and Food, Federal University of Rio Grande. She has more than 30 years of teaching and research experience. He has published more than 500 scientific publications. Her research interest includes microalgal biotechnology with emphasis on bioprocesses.

Dr. Leila Queiroz Zepka is currently an Associate professor at the Department of Food Technology and Science, Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM). She has more than 15 years of teaching and research experience. She has published more than 500 scientific publications/communications, which include 10 books, 50 book chapters, 100 original research papers, 350 research communications in national and international conferences, and 12 patents. She is a member of the editorial board of 5 journals and acts as a reviewer for several national and international journals. Her research interest includes microalgal biotechnology with an emphasis on microalgae-based products.