Page 522 - Refining Biomass Residues for Sustainable Energy and Bioproducts

476 Refining Biomass Residues for Sustainable Energy and Bioproducts

overexploitation and subsequent loss in biodiversity (Gavrilescu, 2010).
Therefore, the use of marine sources in a sustainable manner is very much
essential at this juncture. However, blue biotechnology can offer a better alter-
nate solution to unsustainable fishing and farming in oceans. Blue biotechnol-
ogy uses techniques of genetic engineering and various cultivation methods for
mass production of valuable compounds without affecting the marine
ecosystem.
Genetic engineering uses the information on potential and novel genes present
in marine microbes for the synthesis of the desired metabolite in an industrial
setup. Various cultivation methods include a fermenter, raceway pond, open
ponds, and photobioreactor that facilitate rapid multiplication of marine organ-
isms. Another novel and emerging eco-friendly concept in blue biotechnology is
biorefinery involving a complete utilization of whole biomass for the production
of multiple metabolites through various downstream processes. Thus the imple-
mentation of the above processes leads to maximum ecological efficiency and
sustainability.
The adoption of cleaner technologies and framing policies to support environ-
mental solutions can further strengthen blue biotechnology in terms of environmen-
tal friendliness (Gavrilescu, 2010). The collaboration of private with the public
sector to solve environmental problems related to marine-resource utilization
through blue biotechnology approaches can lead to an innovative solution and
strong environmental regulation. Moreover, the involvement of economically estab-
lished private institutions rather than public agencies to address environmental pro-
blems will be an effective approach and possibly lead to a huge impact. This is
mainly because of a single nation but a group of countries does not cause environ-
mental problems. Therefore the single country policy would not suffice to solve the
entire problem and hence multinational companies can help one to resolve certain
environmental issues.
The initiative toward environmental regulation related to blue biotechnology had
been already framed in many countries (Freire-Gibb et al., 2014). The major goal
of these programs is to maintain good environmental status, that is, to provide con-
ducive environment to sustain healthy, clean, and productive oceans and also sup-
porting biodiversity. In addition, ill-effects of ocean farming including an increase
in the level of pollutants and eutrophication are some of the other issues that are
regulated in these environmental frameworks. For example, to prevent pollution
caused by shellfish cultivation, environmental laws have been implemented to
check the water quality parameters, including pH, metal concentration, and dis-
solved oxygen. However, only limited countries have environmental legislation
regarding blue biotechnology. Therefore, the environmental considerations in the
form of policies, regulation, and implementation have to be ensured by developing
economies for sustainable global utilization of living and nonliving marine biore-
sources. To conclude, proper planning, healthy cooperation, and political establish-
ments at different levels are vital in the realization of the environmental goal of
blue biotechnology.