Spirulina and Its Potential in Bioproduct Production: a Review

The use of the microalgal biomass in biorefineries can produce different products, such as biofuel, food, feed, and bioactive compounds. In addition, the microalgae used in waste treatment can have its biomass exploited, such as Spirulina sp., which shows satisfactory results in the studies performed. Thus, the present study aimed to describe the production of Spirulina bioproducts in biorefineries, demonstrating its benefits and its potential for sustainable development. The study utilized an integrative literature review methodology, and the research question was "What bioproducts can be developed from a Spirulina biorefinery and how can they contribute to sustainability?". The articles were initially screened based on their title and abstract, and only those that fit the research question were selected for full reading. The reviewed studies suggest that the processing of microalgae within biorefineries has significant potential for synergy, sustainable processes can be developed that maximize the use of microalgae biomass and minimize waste and emissions. Spirulina can be used to treat wastewater from food processing plants, where microalgae could absorb nutrients and organic matter while producing biomass that could be harvested and converted into other bioproducts. However, challenges such as high operating costs, variability in biomass and effluent composition, and the need for scalable technologies must be addressed to fully realize the benefits of microalgae in biorefineries. Further research and investment in this area are necessary to develop cost-effective, scalable, and sustainable microalgae biorefineries, involving interdisciplinary collaborations between different fields and partnerships between academia, industry, and government.