Microalgae production in human urine: Fundamentals, opportunities, and perspectives

Yewen Tao; Zhipeng Liu; Junjian Zheng; Jieqin Zhou; Di He; Jinxing Ma

doi:10.3389/fmicb.2022.1067782

Frontiers in Microbiology (Nov 2022)

Microalgae production in human urine: Fundamentals, opportunities, and perspectives

Yewen Tao,
Zhipeng Liu,
Junjian Zheng,
Jieqin Zhou,
Di He,
Jinxing Ma

Affiliations

Yewen Tao: Key Laboratory for City Cluster Environmental Safety and Green Development of the Ministry of Education, School of Ecology, Environment and Resources, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
Zhipeng Liu: School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
Junjian Zheng: College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Guilin University of Electronic Technology, Guilin, China
Jieqin Zhou: Key Laboratory for City Cluster Environmental Safety and Green Development of the Ministry of Education, School of Ecology, Environment and Resources, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
Di He: Key Laboratory for City Cluster Environmental Safety and Green Development of the Ministry of Education, School of Ecology, Environment and Resources, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
Jinxing Ma: Key Laboratory for City Cluster Environmental Safety and Green Development of the Ministry of Education, School of Ecology, Environment and Resources, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, China

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2022.1067782
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 13

Abstract

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The biological treatment of source-separated human urine to produce biofuel, nutraceutical, and high-value chemicals is getting increasing attention. Especially, photoautotrophic microalgae can use human urine as media to achieve environmentally and economically viable large-scale cultivation. This review presents a comprehensive overview of the up-to-date advancements in microalgae cultivation employing urine in photobioreactors (PBRs). The standard matrices describing algal growth and nutrient removal/recovery have been summarized to provide a platform for fair comparison among different studies. Specific consideration has been given to the critical operating factors to understand how the PBRs should be maintained to achieve high efficiencies. Finally, we discuss the perspectives that emphasize the impacts of co-existing bacteria, contamination by human metabolites, and genetic engineering on the practical microalgal biomass production in urine.

Published in Frontiers in Microbiology

ISSN: 1664-302X (Online)
Publisher: Frontiers Media S.A.
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Science: Microbiology
Website: http://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiology

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