A Review of Algae Platforms for Enhanced CO2 Capture and Biofuel via RuBisCO Pathway Analysis

Climate change, driven primarily by greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, poses a global challenge. Traditional CO2 mitigation methods are complemented by biological sequestration via photosynthesis, notably facilitated by the enzyme RuBisCO. Algae, particularly green algae (Chlorophyta), are efficient in converting CO2 into biofuels, contributing to both carbon cycling and renewable energy solutions. This review examines current algae-based platforms for carbon capture and biofuel production, focusing on the RuBisCO pathway in diverse algal species. The study evaluates the genetic diversity and biofuel production potential of various algae, emphasizing the importance of identifying new algal candidates and conducting comprehensive toxicity screenings. Based on the RuBisCO pathway analysis via phylogenetic tree and pairwise protein comparison, genera Edaphochlamys, Pleodorina, Colemanosphaera, Astrephomene, and Volvulina in the Chlorophyta phylum, along with genera Uroglenopsis, Lagynion, Naegeliella, and Poteriospumella in the Chrysophyta phylum, are suggested as potential biofuel production candidates. By expanding the search for genetically diverse algal species and optimizing cultivation conditions, algae can be further developed as a viable platform for biofuel production and CO2 sequestration. This review underscores the ecological and economic benefits of employing algae in biosequestration and biofuel industries, advocating for continued interdisciplinary research and collaboration to realize algae's full potential in renewable energy technologies.