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Microalgal-based industry vs. microplastic pollution: Current knowledge and future perspectives
Summary
This review examines how microplastic pollution in water affects the growth, biomass yield, and photosynthetic activity of microalgae cultivated for industrial purposes such as biofuel and food production. Evidence shows that microplastic contamination at elevated concentrations can reduce microalgal biomass yields, threatening the viability of these industries. The authors identify bio-based materials like bacterial cellulose as promising tools for removing microplastics from microalgae cultivation water, representing a potential solution that avoids introducing further synthetic chemicals.
Microalgae can play a crucial role in the environment due to their efficient capture of CO2 and their potential as a solution for a carbon-negative economy. Water quality is critical for the success and profitability of microalgal-based industries, and understanding their response to emergent pollutants, such as microplastics (MPs), is essential. Despite the published studies investigating the impact of MPs on microalgae, knowledge in this area remains limited. Most studies have mainly focused on microalgal growth, metabolite analysis, and photosynthetic activity, with significant discrepancies in what is known about the impact on biomass yield. Recent studies show that the yield of biomass production depends on the levels of water contamination by MPs, making it necessary to reduce the contamination levels in the water. However, present technologies for extracting and purifying water from MPs are limited, and further research and technological advancements are required. One promising solution is the use of bio-based polymer materials, such as bacterial cellulose, which offer biodegradability, cost-effectiveness, and environmentally friendly detoxifying properties. This review summarises the current knowledge on MPs pollution and its impact on the viability and proliferation of microalgae-based industries, highlights the need for further research, and discusses the potential of bio-solutions for MPs removal in microalgae-based industries.