Photobioreactors for mass cultivation of algae

Bioresour Technol. 2008 Jul;99(10):4021-8. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2007.01.046. Epub 2007 Mar 26.

Abstract

Algae have attracted much interest for production of foods, bioactive compounds and also for their usefulness in cleaning the environment. In order to grow and tap the potentials of algae, efficient photobioreactors are required. Although a good number of photobioreactors have been proposed, only a few of them can be practically used for mass production of algae. One of the major factors that limits their practical application in algal mass cultures is mass transfer. Thus, a thorough understanding of mass transfer rates in photobioreactors is necessary for efficient operation of mass algal cultures. In this review article, various photobioreactors that are very promising for mass production of algae are discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biodegradation, Environmental
  • Biomass
  • Bioreactors*
  • Biotechnology / instrumentation*
  • Biotechnology / methods
  • Cell Culture Techniques
  • Culture Media
  • Equipment Design
  • Eukaryota*
  • Light
  • Molecular Weight
  • Photobiology / methods*
  • Photochemistry / methods
  • Photosynthesis*
  • Water / chemistry

Substances

  • Culture Media
  • Water