Role of microalgae and cyanobacteria in wastewater treatment: genetic engineering and omics approaches

Abstract

Emergence of pollutants in wastewater, expensive cultivation of microalgae, and difficulties in industrial scale production are the main challenges for successful coupling of microalgae with wastewater. Nitrogen, carbon, and phosphorus in wastewater are deliberately consumed by microalgae and cyanobacteria for their growth and could act as green technology for wastewater treatment. In this review, the role and mechanistic approaches of microalgae and cyanobacteria for removal of various (in)organic compounds from wastewater have been thoroughly addressed. Distinct pathways have been reported for improving wastewater treatment technologies through large-scale cultivation of microalgal. The techno-economic feasibility and major commercial production challenges along with genetic engineering research have been addressed. A biorefinery approach with integrated biology, ecology, and engineering would lead to a feasible microalgal-based technology for various applications.