Upcycling food waste into biorefinery production by microalgae

There is a growing interest in utilizing food waste as a suitable and environmentally -friendly medium for microalgae cultivation and biorefinery production. This comprehensive review aims to explore strategies for establishing a microalgae biorefinery in food waste. Firstly, it provides overviews of the types and characteristics of food waste that can be considered as a growth medium. Subsequently, a well -investigated discussion on biorefinery production is presented, focusing on the accumulation of mass value-added products by addressing critical factors. The mechanisms underlying interactions in microalgae-bacterial consortiums for biorefinery production through complex metabolite exchanges are also discussed. The role of synthetic and systems biology, which promotes algal cell responses to nutrients and pollutants in wastewater, is summarized to ensure that algal cultivation is sustainable and aligns with sustainable development goals. Additionally, the feasibility of microalgae cultivation systems is evaluated from the perspectives of techno-economic analysis and life cycle assessment. Finally, the review emphasizes the potential outcomes and current challenges associated with biorefinery production using microalgae cultivated in food waste. The integration of microalgae cultivation with food waste provides a promising approach to address environmental concerns and promote sustainable practices in waste management and biorefinery production.