Perspectives of Low-Temperature Biomass Production of Polar Microalgae and Biotechnology Expansion into High Latitudes

Abstract

The adaptation mechanisms of polar microalgae (including cyanobacteria and eukaryotic microalgae) evolved to withstand the harsh polar environment characterized by low temperature, freeze-thaw cycles, desiccation, salinity, and high and variable photosynthetically active and ultraviolet radiation. Hence, polar microalgae developed ecological, physiological, and molecular defensive and adaptive strategies, which include the synthesis of a tremendous diversity of compounds originating from different metabolic pathways which protect them against the abovementioned stresses. Production of different biological compounds and various biotechnological applications, for instance, water treatment technology in low-temperature environments and many others, are the perspectives for humans, which widely explore the polar regions. In this review, the nonmarine environmental conditions in polar environments and microalgal adaptations are summarized with respect to possible biotechnological applications. The review also provides a survey of the possible compounds to be exploited from polar microalgae. Possible constructions of photobioreactors for mass cultivation of microalgae are proposed for operations in polar regions.