Microalgae for bioremediation: advances, challenges, and public perception on genetic engineering

Abstract The increase in the global population and industrial activities has led to an extensive use of water, the release of wastewater, and overall contamination of the environment. To address these issues, efficient treatment methods have been developed to decrease wastewater nutrient content and...

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Main Authors: Victoria Calatrava, David Gonzalez-Ballester, Alexandra Dubini
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2024-12-01
Series:BMC Plant Biology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-024-05995-5
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author Victoria Calatrava
David Gonzalez-Ballester
Alexandra Dubini
author_facet Victoria Calatrava
David Gonzalez-Ballester
Alexandra Dubini
author_sort Victoria Calatrava
collection DOAJ
description Abstract The increase in the global population and industrial activities has led to an extensive use of water, the release of wastewater, and overall contamination of the environment. To address these issues, efficient treatment methods have been developed to decrease wastewater nutrient content and contaminants. Microalgae are a promising tool as a sustainable alternative to traditional wastewater treatment. Furthermore, the biomass obtained from the wastewater treatment can be used in different applications, having a positive economic impact. This review describes the potential of microalgae as a biological wastewater remediation tool, including the use of genetically engineered strains. Their current industrial utilization and their untapped commercial potential in terms of bioremediation are also examined. Finally, this work discusses how microalgal biotechnology is perceived by the public and governments, analyses the potential risks of microalgae to the environment, and examines standard procedures that can be implemented for the safe biocontainment of large-scale microalgae cultures.
format Article
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issn 1471-2229
language English
publishDate 2024-12-01
publisher BMC
record_format Article
series BMC Plant Biology
spelling doaj-art-1de37652a64a4eebb122559a7647b88c2025-08-20T03:04:16ZengBMCBMC Plant Biology1471-22292024-12-0124111210.1186/s12870-024-05995-5Microalgae for bioremediation: advances, challenges, and public perception on genetic engineeringVictoria Calatrava0David Gonzalez-Ballester1Alexandra Dubini2Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Universidad de CórdobaDepartamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Universidad de CórdobaDepartamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Universidad de CórdobaAbstract The increase in the global population and industrial activities has led to an extensive use of water, the release of wastewater, and overall contamination of the environment. To address these issues, efficient treatment methods have been developed to decrease wastewater nutrient content and contaminants. Microalgae are a promising tool as a sustainable alternative to traditional wastewater treatment. Furthermore, the biomass obtained from the wastewater treatment can be used in different applications, having a positive economic impact. This review describes the potential of microalgae as a biological wastewater remediation tool, including the use of genetically engineered strains. Their current industrial utilization and their untapped commercial potential in terms of bioremediation are also examined. Finally, this work discusses how microalgal biotechnology is perceived by the public and governments, analyses the potential risks of microalgae to the environment, and examines standard procedures that can be implemented for the safe biocontainment of large-scale microalgae cultures.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-024-05995-5AlgaeWastewaterBioremediationBiomass applicationsCircular bioeconomyGenetic engineering
spellingShingle Victoria Calatrava
David Gonzalez-Ballester
Alexandra Dubini
Microalgae for bioremediation: advances, challenges, and public perception on genetic engineering
BMC Plant Biology
Algae
Wastewater
Bioremediation
Biomass applications
Circular bioeconomy
Genetic engineering
title Microalgae for bioremediation: advances, challenges, and public perception on genetic engineering
title_full Microalgae for bioremediation: advances, challenges, and public perception on genetic engineering
title_fullStr Microalgae for bioremediation: advances, challenges, and public perception on genetic engineering
title_full_unstemmed Microalgae for bioremediation: advances, challenges, and public perception on genetic engineering
title_short Microalgae for bioremediation: advances, challenges, and public perception on genetic engineering
title_sort microalgae for bioremediation advances challenges and public perception on genetic engineering
topic Algae
Wastewater
Bioremediation
Biomass applications
Circular bioeconomy
Genetic engineering
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-024-05995-5
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AT davidgonzalezballester microalgaeforbioremediationadvanceschallengesandpublicperceptionongeneticengineering
AT alexandradubini microalgaeforbioremediationadvanceschallengesandpublicperceptionongeneticengineering