Advances in the development of microalgal biorefinery processes: The case of Tetraselmis suecica

Abstract

Microalgae are increasingly recognized as renewable bioresources for the sustainable production of proteins, lipids, pigments, and bioactive compounds. Among them, Tetraselmis suecica has emerged as a promising species due to its rich biochemical composition, robust growth, and suitability for various applications. This study summarizes recent progress in integrating Tetraselmis suecica into microalgae biorefineries. The first part describes its morphology, biochemical profile, and potential markets for its valorization, particularly as animal feed ingredients, mainly in the aquaculture. The study then examines strategies for implementing biorefineries, including the extraction and valorization of extracellular polysaccharides, and evaluates mechanical cell disruption techniques such as high-pressure homogenization, ultrasonication, bead milling, pulsed electric fields and microwaves. A comparative analysis of data from the literature highlights the relative ease of disintegration of Tetraselmis suecica, which allows for efficient and energy-efficient recovery of intracellular compounds. Coupling different disintegration methods and optimizing process parameters can further improve yields and energy efficiency. Finally, fractionation approaches such as acid precipitation and membrane filtration are currently being studied for the purification of proteins and other high value-added molecules. Overall, Tetraselmis suecica appears to be a versatile and sustainable candidate for integrated biorefinery chains, offering multiple opportunities for valorization and strong potential for industrial-scale development.

Keywords: Cell disruption; Exopolysaccharides; Extraction; Fractionation; High-pressure homogenizer; Microwaves; Proteins; Pulsed electric fields; Stirred bead milling; Ultrasound.