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This review paper delves into the intricate challenge of transforming microalgal biomass into biofuel through anaerobic digestion, elucidating its significance for sustainable energy production and waste management. Despite the promise anaerobic digestion holds, obstacles like inhibitory substances, process stability issues, and residue management complexities persist. Microalgal biomass, characterized by high biogas yields and carbon sequestration potential, emerges as a viable solution to enhance anaerobic digestion efficiency. Employing a comprehensive literature selection process, the review synthesizes recent studies to shed light on breakthroughs and pinpoint areas for future investigation. Key findings underscore advancements in microalgal biomass utilization, with strategic strain selection and innovative pretreatment methods resulting up to 25% increase in biogas production. Additionally, the assimilation of co-digestion techniques yields enhanced overall process efficiency. Microalgal biomass demonstrates remarkable carbon sequestration capabilities, sequestering up to 60% of CO2 during the anaerobic digestion process. Furthermore, the analysis reveals that despite inhibitory substances posing challenges, innovative approaches have reduced inhibition by 15%, promoting more stable and efficient digestion. Implications of the review findings stress the need to scale laboratory successes to industrial applications while maintaining environmental sustainability. Identified gaps include challenges in inhibitory substance management and process stability, with future research directions advocating for multidisciplinary approaches to unlock the full potential of microalgal biomass in anaerobic digestion. In conclusion, the review contributes significantly to understanding the intricate relationship between microalgal biomass and anaerobic digestion, highlighting the importance of continued research and development to address existing challenges and advance towards a more regenerative bioeconomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The utilization of renewable lignocellulosic biomasses for bioenergy synthesis is believed to facilitate competitive commercialization and realize affordable clean energy sources in the future. Among the pathways for biomass pretreatment methods that enhance the efficiency of the whole biofuel production process, the combined microwave irradiation and physicochemical approach is found to provide many economic and environmental benefits. Several studies on microwave-based pretreatment technologies for biomass conversion have been conducted in recent years. Although some reviews are available, most did not comprehensively analyze microwave–physicochemical pretreatment techniques for biomass conversion. The study of these techniques is crucial for sustainable biofuel generation. Therefore, the biomass pretreatment process that combines the physicochemical method with microwave-assisted irradiation is reviewed in this paper. The effects of this pretreatment process on lignocellulosic structure and the ratio of achieved components were also discussed in detail. Pretreatment processes for biomass conversion were substantially affected by temperature, irradiation time, initial feedstock components, catalyst loading, and microwave power. Consequently, neoteric technologies utilizing high efficiency-based green and sustainable solutions should receive further focus. In addition, methodologies for quantifying and evaluating effects and relevant trade-offs should be develop to facilitate the take-off of the biofuel industry with clean and sustainable goals. • Fundamental and characteristic of microwave assisted pretreatment were introduced. • Effects of microwave irradiation on the lignocellulosic biomass reviewed. • Combination of microwave physicochemical methods obtained higher efficiency. • Energy and economic aspects of microwave-physicochemical methods evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]