Immobilising Microalgae and Cyanobacteria as Biocomposites: New Opportunities to Intensify Algae Biotechnology and Bioprocessing

There is a groundswell of interest in applying phototrophic microorganisms, specifically microalgae and cyanobacteria, for biotechnology ecosystem service applications. However, there are inherent challenges associated with conventional routes to their deployment (using ponds, raceways photobioreactors) which synonymous suspension cultivation techniques. Cultivation as biofilms partly ameliorates these issues; however, based on the principles process intensification, by taking step beyond exploiting nature inspired artificial cell immobilisation, new opportunities become available, particularly applications requiring extensive periods (e.g., carbon capture wastewater bioremediation). We explore rationale for, approaches immobilised cultivation, particular application latex-based polymer immobilisation living biocomposites. discuss how biocomposites can be optimised at design stage mass transfer limitations. Finally, we predict that will have defining role realising metabolically engineered organisms real world may tip balance risk towards environmental deployment.