Bioplastic Production from Microalgae and Applications: A Review

Abstract

Production of plastic waste has been increasing on a global scale, resulting in an elevation in plastic waste pollution. There is a critical need to develop novel methods to scale down plastic waste pollution. Recycling the plastic scraps alone is not a complete solution for the rising problem. A key component of sustainability is reducing the use of plastics made from fossil fuels. Bio-based plastics are becoming more popular as a substitute for fossil-based polymers on the market. Researchers have found that biological feedstocks can be better utilized for the production of plastic goods in comparison to a fossil-based approach. Therefore, the production of bioplastics from microalgae is aninnovative approach that should be further investigated and enhanced. The current study focuses on assessing the present status of microalgaebased bioplastic production technologies and identifying the specific areas that require optimization for better productivity. A wide range of applications, including biomedical, agricultural, and packaging industries, employ biopolymers. A circular economy approach to microalgal-based bioplastic production is considered in this review to provide insight into current knowledge and future directions (Hussein, 2022).