Flora Gnanadhas

Microalgae, with their rapid growth rates, high intracellular lipid accumulation, and ability to utilize wastewater, emerge as a promising feedstock for high‐quality biodiesel production. Recent contributions in algal fuel research include breakthroughs in genetic engineering to boost lipid yields, such as CRISPR‐modified strains optimized for biofuel production. Innovative bioreactor designs are enhancing scalability and energy efficiency, while integration with waste‐to‐energy systems enables resource recovery and cost savings. Additionally, advancements in techno‐economic models are making large‐scale algal biofuel production more feasible, aided by supportive government policies and subsidies. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of recent advancements in microalgal growth techniques and biofuel production methodologies. This study aims to identify key research gaps and contribute to the optimization of biofuel production processes and the development of sustainable bioenergy solutions.

Diatoms are unicellular, photosynthetic microalgae presenting in aquatic environments. They have a characteristic brown color because of the pigment fucoxanthin (FX). Diatoms are the only microalgae that survive under a stressed environment. Due to this characteristic, they are the perfect candidate for grasping the successional dynamics. This chapter mainly focuses on diatom biorefinery for value-added bioproduct production. Diatoms a good source of fucoxanthin, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), lipids, and pigments. The bioproducts obtained from diatoms have a wide range of industrial applications such as biofuel production, human healthcare products, nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, aquaculture, etc. The value-added products from diatoms set a path to strengthen the future bioeconomy.

This study focuses on the extraction and dyeing properties of natural fabric dyes derived from brown seaweeds, namely Padina tetrastromatica, Sargassum tenerrimum, and Turbinaria ornata. Various solvents (acetone, ethanol, methanol, and water) and mordants (CH₃ COOH, FeSO₄, and NaHCO₃) were used to extract the dyes and achieve different shades with excellent fastness properties. Phytochemical and FTIR analyses were performed to identify the phytochemicals responsible for dyeing. The dyed cotton fabrics exhibited a range of colors based on the mordants and solvents used. Fastness assessments revealed that aqueous and ethanol dye extracts exhibited superior properties compared to acetone and methanol extracts. The influence of mordants on cotton fibers’ fastness properties was also evaluated. In addition to the above findings, this study makes a significant contribution to the field by exploring the bioactive potential of natural fabric dyes derived from brown seaweeds. The utilization of these abundant and low-cost seaweed sources for dye extraction provides a sustainable alternative to synthetic dyes, addressing environmental concerns associated with the textile industry. Furthermore, the comprehensive analysis of different solvents and mordants in obtaining various shades and excellent fastness properties enhances our understanding of the dyeing process and opens avenues for further research in the development of eco-friendly textile dyes.