ABSTRACT
As a step toward developing renewable energy sources, many solid, liquid, and gaseous biofuels have been invented and produced. The first and second-generation biofuels have certain advantages, including helping maintain a clean environment, being eco-friendly, not emitting harmful gases like sulfur oxide (SO) and carbon monoxide (CO), reducing the risk of global warming, etc. However, there have been certain limitations to using these biofuels, like a disturbance in the life cycle, requiring more storage space, more water consumption, and demanding sizeable agricultural land for cultivation, etc. Therefore, research and development are presently concentrated on third-generation biofuels produced from algal biomass because they do away with the shortcomings of first- and second-generation biofuels. Microalgae have been recognized as a promising third-generation biofuel due to their faster growth rate, higher biomass yield, abundant source of various bioactive compounds, and ease of cultivation. By addressing the demand for sustainable fuel production on a global scale, microalgae are a potential choice for biofuel production. Microalgae fuel can also help preserve a healthy global environment by decreasing reliance on fossil fuels. Microalgal biomass components like proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids could be converted into food bioproducts like nutritional supplements, animal feed, fertilizers, and cosmetics. This chapter critically discussed biofuels and algae's importance, characteristics, potential use, extraction, and purpose in the non-food and food sectors.
