Journal article
Realizing algae value chains in arid environments: an Arabian Peninsula perspective
Trends in biotechnology (Regular ed.), Vol.41(6), pp.750-759
06/2023
DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2022.11.004
PMID: 36581482
Abstract
Algae are a promising feedstock for the sustainable production of feed, fuels, and chemicals. Especially in arid regions such as the Arabian Peninsula, algae could play a significant role in enhancing food security, economic diversification, and decarbonization. Within this context, the regional potential of algae commercialization is discussed, exploring opportunities and challenges across technical, societal, and political aspects. Climate, availability of process inputs, and funding opportunities are identified as essential strengths that increase the global competitiveness of regional algae production. Implementation challenges include climate change, securing human resources, and the vital transitioning from research to commercial scales. With balanced management, however, the region’s efforts could be the push that is necessary for algal technologies to take off globally.
Microalgae are a high potential renewable resource for food, feed, fuels, and chemicals, especially in arid regions such as the Arabian Peninsula.Bioprospecting of indigenous strains, together with the region’s climate, geography, and natural resources, can sustainably support year-round high productivities at low production costs, with no competition with food production or scarce freshwater resources.Integration with existing (petrochemical) industries could provide sustainable process inputs, such as CO2 and (waste)water, but also co-processing opportunities and product end-users.Regional governmental ambitions for sustainable economic diversification offer unique opportunities for development through R&D, piloting, and start-up phases.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Realizing algae value chains in arid environments: an Arabian Peninsula perspective
- Creators
- Kira Schipper - Qatar UniversityHareb Mohammed S.J. Al Jabri - Qatar UniversityRené H. Wijffels - Nord UniversityMaria J. Barbosa - Wageningen University & Research
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Trends in biotechnology (Regular ed.), Vol.41(6), pp.750-759
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.tibtech.2022.11.004
- PMID
- 36581482
- NLM abbreviation
- Trends Biotechnol
- ISSN
- 0167-7799
- eISSN
- 1879-3096
- Publisher
- Elsevier Ltd
- Language
- English
- Electronic publication date
- 12/27/2022
- Date published
- 06/2023
- Academic Unit
- International Programs; Spanish and Portuguese
- Record Identifier
- 9984397919602771
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