Algae offer potential to produce renewable chemicals and fuels using solar energy and carbon
dioxide from atmosphere or in flue gases while simultaneously reducing the generation of
greenhouse gases. Since these can be grown on marginal lands with micronutrients and
macronutrients often present in waste streams algae-based chemicals and fuels do not compete
with foods. Still large-scale production of algae-based fuels and chemicals faces considerable
technological and economical challenges and it would by necessity require a biorefinery
approach wherein all the possible algal components are converted into value-added compounds.
The present series on algal biorefineries represents a forum for reporting the state of the art
of different technologies as well as the latest advances in this field. The volume II of this
series complements the volume I in terms of the current state of the art. Different chapters in
this volume address diverse issues ranging from genetically modifies algae to new products to
life-cycle analysis of algal products.
