Microalgae: A Way Toward Sustainable Development of a Society

The growing needs of the human population have come across as a global challenge. More population means more reliance on fossil fuels and more burden on available land for food, thus creating more pollution. In a recent scenario, a microscopic organism that has attracted the attention of scientists across the globe is microalgae. They are found in a varied range of habitats, and their easy availability, renewability, and sustainability have made them an alternative to conventional products and services. Microalgae have found applications in bioremediation, biofuel and biohydrogen production, food, health, and cosmetics industries, etc. However, one main problem faced while using microalgae is its commercialization for mass production as more research need to be done for its effective implementation. Thus, the present chapter gives an insight into the applications of microalgae in a concise manner. An effort to unravel the limitations has also been made along with the prospects.