Advances in Drying and Milling Technologies for Alga

Algal biomass is a versatile raw material for a variety of products such as biofuel, nutraceuticals pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, nutritional and health supplements, and animal feeds. Production of these value-added products requires algal cultivation and harvesting, followed by drying and disruption of the algal cells for subsequent extraction and processing of the intended products. A major hurdle to engaging algal biomass for large-scale commercial applications is the high processing costs. Increasing the recovery of intracellular substances from algal cells could result in greater product yields and lower production costs. Drying and milling are two integral processes for effective production of value-added products from algae. This chapter presents a review on recent advancements in algal cell drying and milling technologies. Technology development, energy requirements, and comparisons of the processing methods are discussed. Challenges and prospects of algae drying and milling for sustainable and viable algal biorefineries are also outlined. © 2021 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.