Advances in Bioprocess Engineering for Optimising Chlorella vulgaris Fermentation: Biotechnological Innovations and Applications

Author: mycolabadmin
12/22/2024
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Summary

Chlorella vulgaris is a nutrient-rich microalga gaining popularity in health supplements, functional foods, and sustainable energy production. Scientists are using advanced genetic engineering techniques, special fermentation methods, and innovative bioreactor designs to increase the production of beneficial compounds like proteins and antioxidants. These improvements make Chlorella more valuable for creating health-promoting foods, medicines, and biofuels while keeping production costs low and environmentally sustainable.

Background

Chlorella vulgaris is a unicellular green microalga recognized for its high protein content, polyunsaturated fatty acids, vitamins, and bioactive compounds including carotenoids and antioxidants. The global Chlorella market is projected to grow from USD 0.32 billion in 2023 to USD 0.52 billion by 2030 at a compound annual growth rate of 8.4%. Recent advancements in fermentation technology have significantly improved the efficiency and sustainability of C. vulgaris production.

Objective

This review explores recent developments in C. vulgaris fermentation, focusing on advancements in strain improvement through genetic engineering, metabolic optimization, and mutagenesis. The review synthesizes findings on bioprocess engineering optimization, downstream processing innovations, and emerging industrial applications across nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, biofuels, and functional foods.

Results

The review identifies key strain improvement techniques including CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing, chloroplast transformation, metabolic engineering, UV-C mutagenesis (increasing lipid content up to 75%), and chemical mutagenesis with EMS (increasing protein content by 60%). Advanced bioprocess engineering includes flat-panel and tubular photobioreactors, airlift bioreactors, and real-time monitoring systems. Downstream processing employs ultrasound-assisted, microwave-assisted, and supercritical fluid extraction methods.

Conclusion

Recent advances in genetic engineering, metabolic optimization, and bioprocess engineering have significantly enhanced C. vulgaris fermentation efficiency and bioactive compound production. Integrated biorefinery approaches enable simultaneous production of bioethanol and bioactive peptides, improving economic viability. Future perspectives include scaling up production, addressing regulatory challenges, and ensuring biosafety in diverse biotechnological applications including functional foods, pharmaceuticals, and sustainable biofuels.

Published in:Foods,
Study Type:Review,
Source: PMID: 39767096, DOI: 10.3390/foods13244154