Strategies to unlock lipid production improvement in algae

Abstract

In recent years, algal research revolves comprehensively in tapping the prospective of various approaches viz. energy sources and nutritional supplements. Researchers worldwide are exploring various aspects of microalgae as they attract the scientific community because of their various unique properties. It has been shown that changing the parameters for algae growth can stimulate these beautiful cells to form substances which are of high value. Biosynthesis of a number of compounds is governed through several enzymatic steps which are further influenced and controlled by the type and concentration of nutrient provided or present in the natural habitat that can act as rate-limiting factor. Algal omics has turned out to be the finest option in recent years for tapping algae as biofuel resource. Genomics and transcriptomics of algae have delivered decisive information to understand lipid biosynthesis. On the other hand, proteomics and metabolomics complement algal omics by offering accurate and useful understandings into the linked physiological settings. Although genomic study reveals many important parameters for various applications using algae, which can be further enhanced when complemented well with the techniques of proteomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics and lipidomics. Combination of datasets from various lipid enhancement approaches can deliver a system-wide impression. These approaches permit closer consideration in the future with an opinion to different practical impacts that are projected in modern era. © 2018, Islamic Azad University (IAU).