Overview of anaerobic digestion process for biofuels production from marine macroalgae: A developmental perspective on brown algae

Meeting renewable energy policies (such as Renewable Portfolio Standard, RPS and Renewable Fuels Standard, RFS) requires development of a large sustainable biomass resource; macroalgae could be a potential contributor towards this policy to produce biofuels. In particular, massive brown algae have been considered a promising biomass to accomplish the biofuel goals in the nearest future. The most direct route to producing biofuels from brown algae is via anaerobic digestion (AD) process. Although the application of brown algae for AD process is still at an early stage, there is almost no technical barrier to the process, particularly as an additional feedstock for existing AD may contribute to the fast development of industrial biofuel application. This review provides an overall perspective required for an advanced assessment of the development of brown algae as a sustainable biofuel resource from the AD process.