Microalgal biotechnology: Today’s (Green) gold rush

Abstract

As the global use of energy is projected to increase vefold by 2100, several countries are investing in microalgal biotechnology as a source of renewable energy to enhance their energy security. Although microalgae are a source of high-value chemicals such as nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals, with a gold-rush mentality many entrepreneurs focus primarily on biofuel as an end-product utilizing a few selected “traditional”.