Production of valuable platform chemicals through microalgal routes utilizing waste streams

Ever rising human population leads to increased demand for fresh water, energy and food, which in turn results in upsurge of wastewater at both industrial and domestic level. These wastewaters are rich in organic and inorganic compounds which if remain untreated, are harmful to the environment. A number of methods have been used over the years for wastewater treatment but microalgae gained the attention because of their efficiency, rapid growth and potential to produce valuable bioactive compounds, biofuels, fertilizers etc. Though, large scale microalgae cultivation is still a challenge due to high nutrient and water requirement coupled with harvesting and downstream processing but nevertheless, integrated approach of wastewater treatment and biomass production is an opportunity to enhance the economic profitability. Thus, various complex wastewater sources used in integrated process of bioremediation and microalgae biomass generation for production of valuable chemicals including the challenges and advancements are addressed in this review.