Abstract

Anaerobic digestion (AD) of algae biomass hasbeen investigated since long. However to enhance full scalecommercial future prospects of algal bio technology, it isimportant to develop methods for better utilisation of the algaebiomass. For effective AD involving algae biomass, there is still aneed for intensifying algae biomass digestion. Pre-treatmentpractices on micro and macro algae improve the digestibility ofthe algae biomass and an increase in biogas yield. Co-digestionof algae biomass with BWW, sewage sludge and agriculturalwaste is a promising sustainable strategy as it enhances AD andhelps in the safe disposal of different wastes. Combiningpre-treatment and co-digestion provides a better practice of theAD process. Utilisation of AD of algae biomass, and the potentialof AD of algae biomass with three co-digestion feedstock–Sewage sludge, spent grain and agricultural waste are furtherdiscussed. This paper concludes that AD can act as a better‘connecting link’ in the algae bio technology providing economicviability and sustainable practice.