Enhancing the sustainability of microalgae cultivation through biosensing technology

Abstract

This comprehensive review shows that environmental challenges such as high water demand, high nutrient requirements, and energy-intensive nature of microalgae cultivation system must be addressed to fully realise sustainability. These challenges can be linked to problems such as water scarcity, nutrient pollution, and increased greenhouse gas emissions, which affect the sustainability of microalgae cultivation systems. The use of biosensing technology in microalgae cultivation systems is an emerging method that will advance the field of microalgae cultivation by providing real-time, precise monitoring and control of various cultivation parameters. This review critically investigates the prospects associated with the use of this technology in microalgae cultivation systems. The recent advances in biosensing technology, such as the development of highly sensitive and specific biosensors for detecting key metabolic indicators, environmental parameters, and growth conditions, were linked to the sustainability of microalgae cultivation systems. The review buttressed innovations such as lab-on-a-chip devices, nanotechnology-based sensors, and non-invasive optical sensing techniques which have been used to enhance the ability to monitor and optimise microalgae growth, productivity, and biochemical composition. The review also emphasises the role of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and the Internet of Things (IoT) in microalgal cultivation systems. These developments have the potential to enhance real-time data analysis, optimise cultivation strategies, and improve overall system efficiency. The review shows that despite the role of biosensing technology in microalgae cultivation systems, progress is limited by challenges that include accuracy and reliability, sensitivity, specificity, long-term stability, and integration with cultivation systems. The integration of AI, ML, IoT, and other biosensing technologies has the potential to address these challenges by providing more accurate and reliable data analysis, enhancing sensitivity and specificity, improving long-term stability, and seamlessly integrating with cultivation systems.