From Carbon Sinks to Biofactories: Next-Generation Microalgae Platforms for Sustainable Climate Mitigation

[Geoengineering News]

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s41742-026-01196-0

Authors: Kopal Jain, Kapila Kumar, Shashi Kumar & Prachi Nawkarkar 

21 July 2026

Abstract

Global warming, health risks, and other possibly life-threatening problems have been brought on by rising atmospheric CO2 levels. This problem calls for an innovative and sustainable carbon capture solution. Despite the ability of traditional carbon capture methods, such as adsorption and absorption, to attain elevated CO₂ capture efficiencies (> 90%), their extensive implementation is constrained by significant energy demands and operational expenditures. Characteristics like enhanced photosynthetic efficiency and potential to effectively fix carbon, makes microalgae an appealing solution for reducing climate change. CO2 concentrating mechanism (CCM) is the main mechanism through which carbon fixation occurs in microalgae. This review article discusses synthetic biology approaches for increasing carbon capture like overexpression of RuBisCO, modification of CCM enzymes, alteration of associated metabolic pathways or introducing other alternative carbon capture pathways into microalgae. The possibility of scaling-up these systems for industrial use is assessed, taking into account both financial and technological obstacles. Researchers are also focusing on the sustainable production of value-added products from microalgal biomass, contributing to carbon capture and utilisation (CCU). This article provides a detailed explanation of the production of biofuels, bioplastics, etc. from the microalgal biomass. The revolutionary potential of combining synthetic biology and biotechnology in microalgae-based carbon capture systems is highlighted in this article, paving up the path to sustainable and circular bioeconomy solutions.

Source: Springer Nature Link