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  • © 2019

Grand Challenges in Algae Biotechnology

  • Provides a complete picture of the algal biotech industry, its products and challenges
  • Explores the economic potential of algae biotechnology
  • Updates on the latest developments in key technologies applied in algal biotechnology

Part of the book series: Grand Challenges in Biology and Biotechnology (GCBB)

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Table of contents (16 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xv
  2. Cultivation Systems

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 1-1
    2. Commercial Microalgal Cultivation Systems

      • Miguel Olaizola, Claudia Grewe
      Pages 3-34
    3. Heterotrophic Growth of Microalgae

      • Michele Carone, Amélie Corato, Thomas Dauvrin, Tung Le Thanh, Lorenzo Durante, Bernard Joris et al.
      Pages 71-109
    4. Agronomic Practices for Photoautotrophic Production of Algae Biomass

      • Philip A. Lee, Rebecca L. White
      Pages 111-156
  3. Genetic and Metabolic Engineering

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 157-157
    2. Advances in Genetic Engineering of Microalgae

      • Armin Hallmann
      Pages 159-221
  4. Integrated Approaches

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 291-291
    2. Integrated Biorefineries for Algal Biomolecules

      • Edgar Suarez Garcia, Giuseppe Olivieri, Lolke Sijtsma, Marian H. Vermuë, Maria Barbosa, J. Hans Reith et al.
      Pages 293-317
    3. Combining Microalgae-Based Wastewater Treatment with Biofuel and Bio-Based Production in the Frame of a Biorefinery

      • Alice Ferreira, Alberto Reis, Senka Vidovic, Jelena Vladic, Spyros Gkelis, Lusine Melkonyan et al.
      Pages 319-369
    4. Microalgal Consortia: From Wastewater Treatment to Bioenergy Production

      • Ana L. Gonçalves, Francisca M. Santos, José C. M. Pires
      Pages 371-398
    5. Downstream Green Processes for Recovery of Bioactives from Algae

      • Mónica Bueno, Rocío Gallego, Jose A. Mendiola, Elena Ibáñez
      Pages 399-425
  5. Framework and Progress of Practical Applications

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 427-427
    2. Metal Pollution in Water: Toxicity, Tolerance and Use of Algae as a Potential Remediation Solution

      • Rossella Pistocchi, Ly Thi Hai Dao, Paulina Mikulic, John Beardall
      Pages 471-500
    3. Benefits of Algal Extracts in Sustainable Agriculture

      • Sharadwata Pan, Jaison Jeevanandam, Michael K. Danquah
      Pages 501-534
    4. Deriving Economic Value from Metabolites in Cyanobacteria

      • Carole A. Llewellyn, Rahul Vijay Kapoore, Robert W. Lovitt, Carolyn Greig, Claudio Fuentes-Grünewald, Bethan Kultschar
      Pages 535-576

About this book

In this book, researchers and practitioners working in the field present the major promises of algae biotechnology and they critically discuss the challenges arising from applications. Based on this assessment, the authors explore the great scientific, industrial and economic potential opened up by algae biotechnology. The first part of the book presents recent developments in key enabling technologies, which are the driving force to unleash the enormous potential of algae biotechnology. The second part of the book focuses on how practical applications of algae biotechnology may provide new solutions to some of the grand challenges of the 21st century.


Algae offer great potential to support the building of a bio-based economy and they can contribute new solutions to some of the grand challenges of the 21st century. Despite significant progress, algae biotechnology is yet far from fulfilling its potential. How to unleash this enormous potential is the challenge that the own field is facing. New cultivation technologies and bioprocess engineering allow for optimization of the operation strategy of state-of the art industrial-scale production systems and they reduce the production costs. Parallel to this, new molecular technologies for genetic and metabolic engineering of (micro)algae develop quickly. The optimization of existing biochemical pathways or the introduction of pathway components makes high-yield production of specific metabolites possible. Novel screening technologies including high-throughput technologies enables testing of extremely large numbers of samples and, thus, allow for large scale modelling of biomolecular processes, which would have not been possible in the past. Moreover, profitable production can demand for integrated biorefining, which combines consecutive processes and various feedstocks to produce both transportation fuel, electric energy and valuable chemicals.



Editors and Affiliations

  • Department of Cellular and Developmental Biology of Plants, University of Bielefeld, Bielefeld, Germany

    Armin Hallmann

  • Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil

    Pabulo H. Rampelotto

About the editors

Pabulo Henrique Rampelotto is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of the Springer Book Series “Grand Challenges in Biology and Biotechnology”. He is also Editor-in-Chief, Associate Editor, Senior Editor, Guest Editor and member of the editorial board of several scientific journals on the field of Life Sciences and Biotechnology. Furthermore, Pabulo is member of four Scientific Advisory Boards of Lifeboat Foundation, alongside several Nobel Laureates and other distinguished scientists, philosophers, educators, engineers and economists. Most of his recent work has been dedicated to the editorial process of several scientific journals in life science and biotechnology, as well as on the organization of special issues and books in his fields of expertise. In his special issues and books, some of the most distinguished team leaders in the field have published their work, ideas and findings, including Nobel Laureates and several of the highly cited scientists according to the ISI Institute.


Armin Hallmann is professor and head of the Department of Cellular and Developmental Biology of Plants at Bielefeld University, Germany. Since more than 25 years, he utilizes eukaryotic microalgae as model systems for his research in the fields of developmental biology, molecular cell biology, biochemistry and biotechnology. Before he came to Bielefeld University in 2003, he taught at the University of Regensburg, Germany and at the Washington University in St. Louis, MO, USA. He is author, reviewer and editor of numerous scientific publications (articles, reviews, book contributions) that appeared in international leading scientific journals.





Bibliographic Information

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access