Perspectives on biogas production from microalgae for circular economy: a bibliometric analysis

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.36661/2596-142X.2025v7n1.15270

Keywords:

Bibliometric analysis, Algal biomass, Energy fuels

Abstract

The growing global energy demand and the environmental impacts associated with fossil fuel use have driven the development of renewable alternatives, such as bioenergy. Microalgae stand out as a promising raw material for biogas production, aligning with circular economy principles. This study presents a bibliometric analysis of biogas production from microalgae. An exploratory review of 60 articles indexed in the Web of Science (WoS) database from 2015 to 2025, using the terms “microalgae,” “biogas,” and “anaerobic digestion,” with data processing performed using VOSviewer software. Results revealed a concentration of publications in India and a noticeable gap in Latin American and Brazilian research. The most prominent subject areas included energy fuels, environmental sciences, and biotechnology applied microbiology. Co-occurrence analysis identified 29 relevant keywords, with “biogas” and “microalgae” showing strong thematic links. The bibliometric mapping grouped studies into four thematic clusters: biogas production from microalgae, biomass production, environmental issues, and energy-related topics. Seven key articles were highlighted, demonstrating the potential of microalgae as a sustainable energy source, while also addressing technical challenges such as rigid cell walls, the need for pretreatment methods, and the advantages of co-digestion to improve methane yields. The findings suggest that, despite the technical and environmental potential, the integration between biotechnologies, circular economy, and public policies can broaden the prospects for the application of this technology. In this sense, the adoption of an interdisciplinary approach that links waste management, environmental regulation, and economic viability is essential to consolidate the use of microalgae as a sustainable bioenergy source.

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Author Biographies

  • M.Sc Gabriela dos Santos Castro, State University of Santa Catarina

    A Food Technician from the Federal Institute of Science and Technology of Maranhão, I worked for five years in the PET Teaching, Research, and Extension Program, working directly with Traditional Communities. I graduated in Forestry Engineering from the Federal University of Piauí (2022), where I worked with microorganisms, soil fertility, and plant nutrition. I also hold a Master's degree in Environmental Sciences from the State University of Santa Catarina (CAV/UDESC), where I worked with Terrestrial Ecotoxicology. I am currently a PhD candidate in Forestry Engineering at the State University of Santa Catarina (CAV/UDESC), working on dust emission reduction on forest roads using residues, in addition to ecotoxicological assessment.

  • M.Sc Luciani de Liz Souza, State University of Santa Catarina

    PhD student in the Postgraduate Program in Biotechnology and Biosciences at UFSC, Master's degree in Environmental Sciences at UDESC (2024), specialization in Biotechnology at UEM (2013) and bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences at Uniplac (2010). She completed internships (volunteer) in the areas of basic education, olericulture at the Municipal Garden of Lages, monitoring in Cell Biology and environmental education at the Guarani Serra Geral Project - UNIPLAC/FAPESC/CNPQ Agreement. She was a Research Initiation scholarship holder (Art.170 of the State Constitution of Santa Catarina) in 2019 and 2010, carrying out a survey and identification of microalgae, fungi and lichens as bioindicators of environmental quality. She is interested in the cultivation and biotechnology of microalgae and macroalgae, prospecting for algal biomass byproducts and phycoremediation. Member of the Applied Phycology research group at UDESC-CERES and of the Biology, Cultivation and Biotechnology of Microalgae - Santa Catarina research group at UFSC. Currently a SET-F scholarship holder (FAPESC) in the project State Cooperative Network for Research in Solid Waste: Diagnosis, Proposals and Scenarios for Revision of the State Solid Waste Plan PERS/SC.

  • Dra. Jeane de Almeida do Rosário, State University of Santa Catarina

    She holds a bachelor's degree (2004), a master's degree (2006), and a doctorate (2010) in Chemical Engineering from the Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC). She has experience in Chemical and Environmental Engineering, working primarily on the following topics: clean energy, environmental sustainability of processes, and waste management. She is currently a professor of Environmental and Sanitary Engineering at the Center for Agro-Veterinary Sciences (CAV) at the State University of Santa Catarina (UDESC), where she teaches Environmental Design, Environmental Risk and Impact Analysis, and Sustainable Energy Resources, among other subjects.

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Published

18-11-2025

Issue

Vol. 7 No. 1 (2025): Revista Gestão & Sustentabilidade

Section

Technologies Applied to Waste Valorization

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Copyright (c) 2025 Gabriela dos Santos Castro, Leonardo Motta da Costa Silva, Luciani de Liz Souza, Jeane de Almeida do Rosário

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How to Cite

CASTRO, Gabriela; SILVA, Leonardo; SOUZA, Luciani; ROSÁRIO, Jeane. Perspectives on biogas production from microalgae for circular economy: a bibliometric analysis. Revista Gestão & Sustentabilidade, Brasil, v. 7, n. 1, p. e15270, 2025. DOI: 10.36661/2596-142X.2025v7n1.15270. Disponível em: https://periodicos.uffs.edu.br/index.php/RGES/article/view/15270. Acesso em: 8 dec. 2025.