Microalgal Biofuels: Sustainable Production, Conversion, and Life Cycle Assessment

Microalgal Biofuels: Sustainable Production and Conversion is a comprehensive guide to the latest advancements in microalgal biofuels. The book provides systematic coverage of the processes of biofuel production, from microalgae biomass resources to biomass conversion processes and catalytic materials. It delves into the critical topic of sustainability, addressing LCA approaches to evaluate the environmental impacts of microalgal-based biofuels. It provides practical information and guidance on the latest strategies, opportunities, and challenges in the transition to sustainable bioenergy. This is an invaluable reference for students, researchers, and industrial practitioners working on biofuels, biotechnology, bioprocess engineering, and biomass conversion.

Divided into four sections, the first section introduces the principles of microalgal biology and cultivation, including an overview of the different types of microalgae, their growth requirements, and the cultivation systems used for large-scale production. The second section explains the conversion of microalgal biomass into biofuels, including biodiesel, bioethanol, biogas, and hydrogen. Each chapter in this section covers a different biofuel pathway, highlighting the technological advancements, challenges, and opportunities for scaling up production. The third section of the book explores the sustainability aspects of microalgal biofuel production, including the use of waste streams and the integration of biofuel production with other industries. This section also covers the LCA approaches used to evaluate the environmental impacts of microalgal biofuels and the strategies for enhancing their sustainability. The fourth and final section of the book examines the commercialization and prospects of microalgal biofuels. This section covers the market potential of microalgal biofuels, the regulatory landscape, and the challenges and opportunities for the industry.

Dr. Krishna Kumar Jaiswal obtained his Ph.D. in Green Energy Technology and postdoctoral experiences with a broad area of research in bioenergy and biofuels. He is working as an Assistant Professor at Pondicherry University, India. Dr. Krishna's research and teaching focus on bioprocess engineering, nanotechnology, and biofuels technologies in the Department of Green Energy Technology. He is actively researching and developing new technologies for bioprocessing and biofuels. He is also a subject expert for the National Testing Agency (Govt. of India), India. He has published over 65⁺ research papers in reputed journals and is an active life member of several renowned scientific societies, an editorial board member, and a reviewer of several reputed scientific journals. He also serves as a member of Boards of Studies, various Doctoral Committees, and other Administrative Positions for different Universities.

Dr. Amit K. Jaiswal is an esteemed academic and researcher currently serving as a Lecturer at the School of Food Science and Environmental Health, Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin)―City Campus, Ireland. Recognised globally for his scholarly contributions, Dr Jaiswal has been recognised among the top 1% of the world’s most cited academics in 2023 and 2024 by Clarivate Analytics, a distinction given to researchers who have demonstrated exceptional influence in their fields over the past decade. In addition, Stanford University has listed him among the top 2% of scientists worldwide for four consecutive years (2021–24). Dr Jaiswal’s research focuses on converting lignocellulosic biomass and algae (micro- and macroalgae) into biofuels, biomaterials, and biochemicals through innovative process development, techno-economic analysis, and life cycle assessment. He brings extensive expertise in bio-based materials, such as lignin and microcellulose/nanocellulose, and their applications in sustainable food packaging, water purification, and adhesives. His proficiency in green extraction techniques, including deep eutectic solvents (DES) and ultrasound-assisted processes, enables the valorisation of agri-food biomass into high-value products. With more than 125 peer-reviewed publications, 50 book chapters, and five edited books, Dr. Jaiswal’s contributions to scientific literature have significantly impacted food science and biotechnology. His work has received over 10,000 citations, with an h-index exceeding 50. He also serves on the editorial boards of key international journals, including Food Quality and Safety (Oxford University Press), Foods, Biomass (MDPI) and JSFA Reports (Wiley).