Bioprocess strategies to augment biohydrogen production from algae

Drastic climatic changes and health hazards, in the recent years, due to combustion of fossil fuels has elicited the need to find sustainable and economical fuel alternatives. Hydrogen gas is a versatile energy carrier that can be used for transportation, electricity generation, and industrial processes. It does not produce greenhouse gases or other pollutants when used, making it a promising alternative to fossil fuels. Among the feedstocks used for hydrogen production, algae are found to be a potential source due to their high growth rate, ability to grow in diverse environments, and ability to produce hydrogen via the process of photosynthesis. However, current hydrogen production rates using algae are low, and strategies to improve these rates are needed. This review is aimed to investigate and evaluate different strategies to enhance biohydrogen production using algae. In addition, the prospects of using macro and microalgae as feedstocks have been elucidated. This review also provides brief insights on the current technologies available for algal biohydrogen production and their bottlenecks. The recent advancements, research gaps and future scopes of this research have been highlighted. Overall, the discussion of the various strategies can provide valuable information for the development of cost-effective and sustainable hydrogen production methods.

Automated summary

Drastic climatic changes and health hazards caused by combustion of fossil fuels have prompted the search for sustainable and economical fuel alternatives. Hydrogen gas is a versatile energy carrier with promising potential to replace fossil fuels, as it does not produce greenhouse gases or other pollutants. Algae, with their fast growth rate, ability to thrive in different environments, and capability to produce hydrogen through photosynthesis, are considered a potential feedstock for hydrogen production. However, current algae-based hydrogen production rates are low, and strategies to improve them are needed. This review aims to explore and evaluate different strategies to enhance biohydrogen production using algae, highlighting the prospects of using macro and microalgae as feedstocks and providing insights on current technologies and challenges. By discussing various strategies, valuable information for the development of affordable and sustainable hydrogen production methods can be obtained.