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Heavy metal pollution is one of the most pervasive environmental problems globally. Novel finely tuned algae have been proposed as a means to improve the efficacy and selectivity of heavy metal biosorption. This article reviews current research on selective algal heavy metal adsorption and critically discusses the performance of novel biosorbents. We emphasize emerging state-of-the-art techniques that customize algae for enhanced performance and selectivity, particularly molecular and chemical extraction techniques as well as nanoparticle (NP) synthesis approaches. The mechanisms and processes for developing novel algal biosorbents are also presented. Finally, we discuss the applications, challenges, and future prospects for modified algae in heavy metal biosorption. Novel finely tuned algae can improve the selectivity and performance of heavy metal adsorption.Molecular modification can be used to display metal-binding proteins at the cell surface via gene overexpression or by introducing exogenous DNA to generate transgenic algae.The performance of chemical modification has been highly variable, and more studies will be necessary to overcome its limitations.The extraction approach is promising because of the strong metal-binding properties of algae that have been attributed to alginate.Algae-based nanoparticles show better performance in heavy metal removal compared with raw algae.

In the recent years, microalgae have captured researchers’ attention as the alternative feedstock for various bioenergy production such as biodiesel, biohydrogen, and bioethanol. Cultivating microalgae in wastewaters to simultaneously bioremediate the nutrient-rich wastewater and maintain a high biomass yield is a more economical and environmentally friendly approach. The incorporation of algal–bacterial interaction reveals the mutual relationship of microorganisms where algae are primary producers of organic compounds from CO2, and heterotrophic bacteria are secondary consumers decomposing the organic compounds produced from algae. This review would provide an insight on the challenges and future development of algal–bacterial consortium and its contribution in promoting a sustainable route to greener industry. It is believed that microalgal-bacterial consortia will be implemented in the near-future for sub-sequential treatment of wastewater bioremediation, bioenergy production and CO2 fixation, promoting sustainability and making extraordinary advancement in life sciences sectors.

In the context of climate change and the increase of the energy demand, there is a need for carbon sequestration methods and sustainable fuels. This can be done by cultivation of microalgae, an unicellular microscopic algae that converts carbon dioxide into high-value bioproducts and energy. Moreover, microalgae can be used to assess the health of ecosystems such as lakes. Here we review microalgae for biofuel, for wastewater treatment and as bioindicators. We discuss the impact of processes based on microalgae using life cycle assessment. We present co-cultivation of microalgae with other microbes, and we compare conventional processes with processes integrating auto-flocculation, in situ transesterification and excretion.

Lignocellulosic biomass has been recognized as promising feedstock for biofuels production. However, the high cost of pretreatment is one of the major challenges hindering large-scale production of biofuels from these abundant, indigenously-available, and economic feedstock. In addition to high capital and operation cost, high water consumption is also regarded as a challenge unfavorably affecting the pretreatment performance. In the present review, advances in lignocellulose pretreatment technologies for biofuels production are reviewed and critically discussed. Moreover, the challenges faced and future research needs are addressed especially in optimization of operating parameters and assessment of total cost of biofuel production from lignocellulose biomass at large scale by using different pretreatment methods. Such information would pave the way for industrial-scale lignocellulosic biofuels production. Overall, it is important to ensure that throughout lignocellulosic bioethanol production processes, favorable features such as maximal energy saving, waste recycling, wastewater recycling, recovery of materials, and biorefinery approach are considered.

Curing agents are critical components of aqueous epoxy resin systems. Unfortunately, its uses and applications are restricted because of its low emulsifying yields. Epoxy resins are frequently used in electrical devices, castings, packaging, adhesive, corrosion resistance, and dip coating. In the presence of curing agents, epoxy resins become rigid and infusible. Eco-friendliness and mechanical functionality have emerged as vulcanization properties. Curing agents are used for surface modification, thermodynamic properties, functional approaches to therapeutic procedures, and recent advances in a variety of fields such as commercial and industrial levels. The curing agent has superior construction and mechanical properties when compared to the commercial one, which suggests that it has the potential for use as the architectural and industrial coatings. The thermal stability of cured products is good due to the presence of the imide group and the hydrogenated phenanthrene ring structure. Over the course of the projection period, it is anticipated that the global market for curing agents will continue to expand at a steady rate. The growth of the market is mainly driven by its expanding range in future applications such as adhesives, composites, construction, electrical, electronics, and wind energy. This review focused on the most recent advancements in curing techniques, emphasizing their thermal and mechanical properties. The review also presents a critical discussion of key aspects and bottleneck or research gap of the application of curing agents in the industrial areas.

Rise in human population and gradual decline in fossil fuels are increasing the demand for fuels and causing an upsurge in fuel prices and global warming. Concomitantly, consumers have raised their health awareness by taking various supplements, e.g. omega-3 fatty acids, thus calling for advanced nutraceuticals. Both issues are addressed by recent research on microalgae, which can be easily cultivated to produce lipidic biofuels and active drugs. Here, we reviewed the types and biosynthesis of microalgal lipids. We discuss genetic engineering and manipulation of cultivation conditions for enhancing lipid production. We present techniques for lipid extraction, with focus on green techniques. We also discuss the technical and economic challenges in manufacturing microalgae-based biofuels and other bioproducts at the industrial scale. Last, the market potentials and further research directions for future commercialization of microalgae lipids are discussed.

Pollution is a major issue impacting the health of life and ecosystems. In particular, some pollutants may alter gene expression by epigenetic mechanisms such as deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) methylation, histone modifications, and microRNA (miRNA) expression. Epigenetics is the study of heritable changes without alteration in the DNA sequence. In the healthy state, the coordinated actions of interconnected epigenetic factors are responsible for proper cell development and cell regulation. Epigenetic mechanisms are tissue-specific; hence, a pollutant may or may not cause an alteration depending on the type of tissue. Here we review mechanisms by which pollutants disrupt epigenetic factors. We focus on the impact of arsenic, cadmium, nickel, mercury, benzene, bisphenol A, dioxin, hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine and diethylstilbestrol. A list of diseases related to epigenetic factors and heavy metals exposure is provided.

As a promising alternative renewable liquid fuel, biodiesel production has increased and eventually led to an increase in the production of its by-product, crude glycerol. The vast generation of glycerol has surpassed the market demand. Hence, the crude glycerol produced should be utilized effectively to increase the viability of biodiesel production. One of them is through crude glycerol upgrading, which is not economical. A good deal of attention has been dedicated to research for alternative material and chemicals derived from sustainable biomass resources. It will be more valuable if the crude glycerol is converted into glycerol derivatives, and so, increase the economic possibility of the biodiesel production. Studies showed that glycerol carbonate plays an important role, as a building block, in synthesizing the glycerol oligomers at milder conditions under microwave irradiation. This review presents a brief outline of the physio-chemical, thermodynamic, toxicological, production methods, reactivity, and application of organic carbonates derived from glycerol with a major focus on glycerol carbonate and dimethyl carbonate (DMC), as a green chemical, for application in the chemical and biotechnical field. Research gaps and further improvements have also been discussed.

Ionic liquid (IL) pretreatment of lignocellulose is an efficient method for the enhancement of enzymatic saccharification. However, the remaining residues of ILs deactivate cellulase, therefore making intensive biomass washing after pretreatment necessary. This study aimed to develop the one-pot process combining IL pretreatment and enzymatic saccharification by using low-toxic choline acetate ([Ch][OAc]) and IL-tolerant bacterial cellulases. Crude cellulases produced from saline soil inhabited Bacillus sp. CBD2 and Brevibacillus sp. CBD3 were tested under the influence of 0.5–2.0 M [Ch][OAc], which showed that their activities retained at more than 95%. However, [Ch][OAc] had toxicity to CBD2 and CBD3 cultures, in which only 32.85% and 12.88% were alive at 0.5 M [Ch][OAc]. Based on the specific enzyme activities, the sugar amounts produced from one-pot processes using 1 mg of CBD2 and CBD3 were higher than that of Celluclast 1.5 L by 2.0 and 4.5 times, respectively, suggesting their potential for further application in the biorefining process of value-added products.

As Malaysia is a fast-developing country, its prospects of sustainable energy generation are at the center of debate. Malaysian municipal solid waste (MSW) is projected to have a 3-5% increase in annual generation rate at the same time an increase of 4-8% for electricity demand. In Malaysia, most of the landfills are open dumpsite and 89% of the collected MSW end up in landfills. Furthermore, huge attention is being focused on converting MSW into energy due to the enormous amount of daily MSW being generated. Sanitary landfill to capture methane from waste landfill gas (LFG) and incineration in a combined heat and power plant (CHP) are common MSW-to-energy technologies in Malaysia. MSW in Malaysia contains 45% organic fraction thus landfill contributes as a potential LFG source. Waste-to-energy (WTE) technologies in treating MSW potentially provide an attractive economic investment since its feedstock (MSW) is collected almost for free. At present, there are considerable issues in WTE technologies although the technology employing MSW as feedstock are well established, for instance the fluctuation of MSW composition and the complexity in treatment facilities with its pollutant emissions. Thus, this study discusses various WTE technologies in Malaysia by considering the energy potentials from all existing incineration plants and landfill sites as an effective MSW management in Malaysia. Furthermore, to promote local innovation and technology development and to ensure successful long-term sustainable economic viability, social inclusiveness, and environmental sustainability in Malaysia, the four faculties of sustainable development namely technical, economic, environmental, and social issues affiliated with MSW-to-Energy technologies were compared and evaluated.