Biofuel from microalgae for sustainable development

The upcoming shortage of fossil fuels and the environmental threat of global climate change has led mankind to search for alternatives concerning its energy supply. Today, enormous efforts are made to maximize the productivity of biomass and identify new species of plants and processes to accomplish the future demand of food, fodder, materials and energy. Biofuels play a crucial role in mitigating CO2 emission, reducing global warming and acting as potential cheap alternative in comparison with the soaring prices per barrel of petroleum. The production of algal biomass for biofuels combined with the production of bulk chemicals, application in wastewater treatment, aquaculture, food and feed ingredients as well as in human health is presently drawing attention in many countries. This paper briefly elucidates the recent status of microalgae utilization for biodiesel production, together with their cultivation, harvesting, and processing.