Composition of carbohydrate, protein and lipid derived from microalgae using thermally pretreated solid waste

Abstract Microalgae are widely recognized for their capacity to generate value‐added products in a variety of sectors, including the pharmaceutical and food industries, bioenergy industries and wastewater industries. The quality of a microalga is significantly influenced by its proliferation. Along with growth, the biochemical profile may also vary based on the nutrient that is supplemented. The majority of the supplemented nutrients utilized are not in a functional state, as they are typically extracted in liquid form or pretreated prior to use. Parallel to numerous commonly applied pretreatment processes, including chemical, mechanical and biological, thermal pretreatment appears to receive less attention. Hence it is crucial to comprehend the potential for thermal pretreatment as well as its mechanism in militating the solid waste to release additional nutrients in order to enhance the biochemical profile of microalgae. The current review takes a closer look at the impact of various thermal pretreatments on solid waste on influencing microalgal performance in terms of their overall biochemical profiles such as carbohydrates, proteins and lipids. This approach is likely to enhance the circular economy by utilizing waste products and effectively closing the loop on waste. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.