Abstract
Microalgae are used in flocculation processes because biopolymers are released into the culture medium. Microalgal cell growth under specific conditions (temperature, pH, luminosity, nutrients, and salinity) provides the production and release of exopolysaccharides (EPS). These biopolymers can be recovered from the medium for application as bioflocculants or used directly in cultivation as microalgae autoflocculants. The optimization of nutritional parameters, the control of process conditions, and the possibility of scaling up allow the production and industrial application of microalgal EPS. Therefore, this review addresses the potential use of EPS produced by microalgae in bioflocculation. The recovery, determination, and quantification techniques for these biopolymers are also addressed. Moreover, other technological applications of EPS are highlighted.
Highlights
Microalgae are photosynthetic microorganisms cultivated in marine, hypersaline, brackish, freshwater, or wastewater for the production of high value-added compounds [1–3]
The biomass of these microorganisms is of industrial interest in the development of pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, cosmetics, and food/feed [4]
Bioflocculation is considered a sustainable method that occurs from the aggregation of microalgal cells in the presence of biopolymers synthesized by microorganisms
Summary
Microalgae are photosynthetic microorganisms cultivated in marine, hypersaline, brackish, freshwater, or wastewater for the production of high value-added compounds (pigments, proteins, lipids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and intracellular and extracellular polysaccharides) [1–3]. Microalgae exopolysaccharides (EPS) have been highlighted for promoting autoflocculation or acting as bioflocculants These compounds can act in the process of microalgal biomass recovery and treatment of industrial effluents, with the additional advantage of low energy consumption, low environmental impact, and reduced production of toxic compounds [6–9]. In this sense, Yang et al [10] reported bioflocculant activity of EPS from Scenedesmus acuminatus in the recovery of the biomass of this same microalga. There are few studies about other microalgae diversities in the production of this metabolite and its flocculating efficiency In this context, this review reports the potential use of EPS produced by microalgae in bioflocculation.
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