Book reviews

Microalgae: our marine forests

Handbook of Microalgal Culture: Biotechnology and Applied Phycology, A. Richmond,
editor, Blackwell, Oxford, 2004, pp. xvii+566, ISBN 0-632-05953-2
Microalgae and cyanobacteria are among the oldest lifeforms on earth. These micro-
organisms use photosynthesis to convert sunlight and carbon dioxide to carbohydrates, a
source of energy. Although most microalgae thrive exclusively on photosynthesis, some
can live on extracellular organic carbon when sunlight is not available. Microalgae are
responsible for at least 60% of the Earths primary productivity, but are barely used in
commercial processes.
Potentially, microalgae can provide a long list of useful substances including biohy-
drogen and hydrocarbon fuels, pigments and colorants, foods and feeds, biopolymers,
biofertilizers, pesticides, nutraceuticals, and pharmacological compounds. In addition,
microalgae can be used in treating wastewaters and arresting the accumulation of carbon
dioxide in the environment.
In comparison with the other lifeforms, microalgae have been little studied. The existing
commercial production of microalgae relies mostly on low-productivity traditional meth-
ods. Only a few species are cultivated commercially. Intensive production methods for pure
culture biomass in photobioreactors are advancing rapidly, but remain expensive. Photo-
bioreactor-based production is generally poorly understood in the industry and this
perpetuates a reliance on unproductive methods.
This book brings together much useful information on the relevant biology and
production technology of microalgae. More than 40 experts from 13 countries have
contributed to the book. The books 33 chapters are grouped into five major sections. The
first five chapters deal with the microalgal cell, photosynthesis, the basic culture measure-
ment methods, and the effects of the environment on cellular physiology and composition.
Five chapters are devoted to various aspects of mass culture, including algal nutrition,
photobioreactors, the principles of phototrophic mass culture, and downstreamprocessing of
microalgal biomass. A large part of the book (17 chapters) deals with the applications of
microalgae. Individual chapters discuss production of Chlorella, Spirulina, Dunaliella,
Haematococcus, Porphyridium, Nannochloropsis, and Nostoc. Several chapters detail
aquaculture related aspects of microalgae. Four chapters are concerned with aspects relating
to water pollution. Uses of microalgae in nitrogen fixation and the production of
biohydrogen are discussed in short chapters. Several chapters are grouped into a section
entitled Newfrontiers, or essentially everything that did not fit elsewhere in the book. The
quality of the chapters is variable. In some cases, the treatment is too superficial to be useful.
www.elsevier.com/locate/biotechadv
Biotechnology Advances 22 (2004) 565567
Overall, the book is a useful introductory resource for any new entrant to the field of
microalgae culture technology. The book is hardbound and sells for GB 125.00.
Yusuf Chisti
Institute of Technology and Engineering, PN456,
Massey University, Private Bag 11 222,
Palmerston North, New Zealand
E-mail address: Y.Chisti@massey.ac.nz
Tel.: +64-6350-5934; fax: +64-6350-5604
doi:10.1016/j.biotechadv.2004.04.001
Photosynthesisthe engine of life
Photosynthesis in Algae, A.W.D. Larkum, S.E. Douglas and J.A. Raven, editors, Kluwer,
Dordrecht, 2003, pp. xx+483, ISBN 0-7923-6333-7
Because of its importance, photosynthesis continues to be a focus of much
attention, and this is evidenced by the many books and journals devoted to it. This
book adds to this literature. The book is volume 14 in the series Advances in
Photosynthesis and Respiration and its 19 chapters have been contributed by nearly 30
authors, mostly biologists.
Algae constitute an extremely diverse group of organisms ranging in size from
microscopic to the giant seaweeds. They are responsible for much of the photosynthetic
productivity on Earth. Consequently, algae are critically important for the survival of the
biosphere in its existing form. In addition, algae have a significant potential for
commercial use. This book has a different focus. It is not directly concerned with the
applications of algae but only with the fundamentals of photosynthesis.
The books initial few chapters focus on the general characteristics of the algae,
the structure and properties of algal plastids, and the photosynthetic apparatus of the
oxyphotobacteria. A chapter discusses the regulation of the genes of the light-
harvesting complex. One chapter is concerned with the functional analysis of plastid
genes. Several chapters deal with algal biochemistry and physiology, covering the
following major topics: the biochemistry and regulation of chlorophyll biosynthesis;
electron transfer in oxygenic photosynthesis; photorespiration and chlororespiration;
the water water cycle in algae; carbohydrate metabolism and respiration; and the
mechanisms through which the algae acquire carbon.
Photosynthesis begins with the capture of photons by the light-harvesting systems. Light
harvesting, the modeling of energy capture, and the various pigments associated with light
harvesting are discussed in four chapters. A chapter deals with photoinhibition. Adaptation
and acclimation to changes in light level and other factors are devoted a chapter. Separate
chapters deal with photosynthesis in marine macroalgae and symbiotic algae.
The chapters are written generally for the advanced reader having an understanding
of photosynthesis, algae, and the relevant research methods. The text is supported by
numerous citations to the original literature. Overall, the book is a useful resource for
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