Microalgae to biogas: Microbiological communities involved

In recent years, the current problems related to fossil fuel use have led to focus on efforts to generate renewable energy sources in a clean and efficient manner. Microalgae are an alternative for biogas generation through anaerobic digestion due to their biological, biochemical, and cultural characteristics. The efficiency and stability of anaerobic digestion is completely dependent on the microorganisms’ coordination and efficient activity as they belong to the different functional guilds, which carry hydrolysis, fermentation, acetogenesis, and methanogenesis phases. In the past decade, molecular tools allow us to study anaerobic digestion phases to model and optimize the digesters’ operation when using microalgae biomass as a substrate. Studying microbial diversity and structure is important not only for basic scientific research but also to understand the link that exists between the diversity, structure, and function of the community to produce biogas. It is relevant to know not only who is involved in the anaerobic digestion but also what kind of function play this bacteria. This is especially relevant for the development of strategies to improve biogas production.