Microalgae for a macroenergy world

One of the most important dilemmas of the modern world is to supply enough energy with minimal environmental impact. On this demand bioenergy from renewable biofuels is of growing public and private interest. Recent developments in the scientific researches show that microalgae have potential as a source of bioenergy. With their exception of being one of the oldest residents of the Earth and playing a vital role in building up the atmosphere, microalgae have a variety of diversified strains, biochemical routes and products that can be used for biofuel processing. An increasing number of researchers, academics, entrepreneurs and investors are now working on new technologies to adapt microalgae originated energy into our daily life. The aim of this review is to focus on microalgae based biofuels under the main titles of biodiesel, biohydrogen, bioethanol and biomethane. For evolution in bioenergy that started with the first generation way through the third generation and today stepping on the concept of fourth generation, microalgae will be a good candidate for an alternative energy source. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.