[1S02e] 02. AFOB - Part 3

4:55 PM - 5:20 PM JST(7:55 AM - 8:20 AM UTC)

[1AFOB-18-KL] Microalgae Biorefineries for Carbon Capture and Resource Recycling: A Sustainable Platform for High-Value Bioproducts

○Muhammad Aamer Mehmood¹ (1. Government College University Faisalabad (Pakistan))

Keywords:

Microalgae,Cascading biorefineries,Carbon recycling,resource recovery,Bioproducts

Microalgae-based biorefineries are emerging as a transformative platform to address interconnected global challenges of carbon emissions, wastewater management, and sustainable production of high-value bioproducts. This study presents a comprehensive framework for integrated carbon capture, nutrient recovery, and biomass valorization using selected algae strains including Pseudoscillatoria coralii BERC01, Grasiella emersonii BERC27, Bracteaocuccus pseudominor BERC09, Plectonema terebrans BERC10, Spirulina platensis BERC15, Asterarcys sp. BERC16. All strains demonstrated robust growth in urban wastewater, achieveing biomass productivity of 1.9-2.23 g/L alongside CO₂ fixation rates of 3.54-4.2 g/L. Efficient nutrient recovery was observed, with 100% suspended solids reduction and 50-100% recovery of nitrogene and phosphorous, highlighting the potential of wastewater as a bioresource rather than waste. A two-stage cultivation and cascading biorefinery approach was developed to enhance process efficiency and economic feasibility within a circular economy paradigm. The harvested biomass was valorized into multiple high-value products, including soil amenders, industrial enzymes, pigments, biodegradable biopolymers, and feed ingredients. Notably, algae-derived biostimulants improved soil health by enhancing microbial activity and nutrient availability, while innovative solvent-free biopolymers and cosmetic-grade oils demonstrated potential for sustainable industrial applications. Carbon-neutral downstream processing strategies, including self-flocculation, gravity filtration, and air drying, further improved sustainability metrics. Overall, this work establishes microalgae biorefineries as a scalable, low-carbon solution for integrated resource recovery, contributing to sustainable food systems, environmental remediation, and green industrial development. The approach offers significant opportunities for deployment in peri-urban environments, particularly in developing regions facing resource and climate constraints.