Biofuels production of third generation biorefinery from macroalgal biomass in the Mexican context: An overview

Macroalgae is a large group of plant-like organisms that dovetail into the third generation of renewable feedstocks within the biorefinery context, which implies a conversion of biomass to generate multiple biobased products such as biofuels. These could be bioethanol, biogas, bio-oil, biodiesel, biohydrogen, and biobutanol, amongst others. The storage components of macroalgae, namely carbohydrates and lipids, and the absence or near absence of lignin, make macroalgae an attractive raw material for conversion into biofuels. In this review, we detail some of the foremost pathways used in macroalgal biofuel production and discuss the respective advantages and problems associated with each development. The diverse range of different macroalgal species that have been utilized for biofuel production, alongside their biochemical composition and feasibility for large-scale cultivation, will also be addressed herein. Lastly, Mexico's status regarding energy dependence and biofuels production are discussed and how the country's current battle with an invasive species that is overpopulating its shoreline could become beneficial for biofuel production.