# Topics and Trends in Most Cited Algal biology and biofuel production Papers, Class of 2026

*Canonical URL: https://pri.pepkio.com/top-papers/algal-biology-and-biofuel-production/2026*

## What topics and trends defined most-cited Algal biology and biofuel production research in the Class of 2026?

Microalgae-bacteria consortia, lipid accumulation, and nutrient removal define the Class of 2026 algal biology cohort. Nutrient limitation strategies and lipid accumulation rose sharply from the Class of 2025, alongside growing multi-omics profiling, while broad wastewater treatment and general bioremediation topics receded among top-cited papers.

## At a glance

| Fact | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Field | Algal biology and biofuel production |
| Cohort label | Class of 2026 (2024 publications) |
| Papers analyzed | 5,537 |
| Papers ranked | 20 |
| Top topics in ranked papers | Microalgae-bacteria consortium, Lipid accumulation, Phosphorus removal, Nitrogen removal, Nutrient limitation |
| Publication window | Jan 1, 2024 – Dec 31, 2024 |
| Eligibility | Research articles; reviews excluded |
| Citation window | 18 months post-publication |
| 18m citation range | 35–102 |
| Data source | OpenAlex · Retrieved Jul 2026 |
| License | CC BY 4.0 |

## Rankings

| Rank | Title | Authors | Corresponding authors | Affiliation | Journal | 18m citations | DOI |
| ---: | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---: | --- |
| 1 | Removal of chemicals from effluent using photobioreactor technology to improve environmental and health impacts | Parimala Gandhi Karuppannan, Selvakumar Paramasivam, Petchiammal Mariappan, Sivagami Shunmugam, Samuel Jabez Richard Paul | Parimala Gandhi Karuppannan | Nehru Institute of Technology, India | Zeitschrift für Physikalische Chemie | 102 | 10.1515/zpch-2023-0450 |
| 2 | Microalgal extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and their roles in cultivation, biomass harvesting, and bioproducts extraction | Yun Zhou, Xiaocai Cui, Beibei Wu, Ziqi Wang, Ying Liu, Tian Ren, Siqing Xia, Bruce E Rittmann | Yun Zhou | Huazhong Agricultural University, China | Bioresource Technology | 81 | 10.1016/j.biortech.2024.131054 |
| 3 | Antioxidants alleviated low-temperature stress in microalgae by modulating reactive oxygen species to improve lipid production and antioxidant defense | Xueting Song, Fanying Kong, Bing-Feng Liu, Qingqing Song, Nan-Qi Ren, Hong-Yu Ren | Nanqi Ren, Hong‐Yu Ren | Harbin Institute of Technology, China | Bioresource Technology | 71 | 10.1016/j.biortech.2024.131451 |
| 4 | Combined transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses of temperature response of microalgae using waste activated sludge extracts for promising biodiesel production | Xueting Song, Fanying Kong, Bing-Feng Liu, Qingqing Song, Nan-Qi Ren, Hong-Yu Ren | Nanqi Ren, Hong‐Yu Ren | Harbin Institute of Technology, China | Water Research | 66 | 10.1016/j.watres.2024.121120 |
| 5 | Carbon capture and utilization by algae with high concentration CO2 or bicarbonate as carbon source | Yi Yang, Shuo Tang, J Paul Chen | J. Paul Chen | Beijing Normal University, China | The Science of The Total Environment | 57 | 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170325 |
| 6 | Lipidomics analysis of microalgal lipid production and heavy metal adsorption under glycine betaine-mediated alleviation of low-temperature stress | Xueting Song, Fanying Kong, Bing-Feng Liu, Qingqing Song, Nan-Qi Ren, Hong-Yu Ren | Hong‐Yu Ren, Hong‐Yu Ren | Harbin Institute of Technology, China | Journal of Hazardous Materials | 56 | 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.135831 |
| 7 | Optimization of microalgae protein extraction from Scenedesmus obliquus and investigating its functional properties | Motahharesadat Amiri, Seyed Ebrahim Hosseini, Gholamhassan Asadi, Babak Khayambashi, Ahmadreza Abedinia | Ahmadreza Abedinia | Islamic Azad University, Iran | LWT | 53 | 10.1016/j.lwt.2024.116028 |
| 8 | Cost breakdown indicates that biochar production from microalgae in Central Europe requires innovative cultivation procedures | Josef Maroušek, Beáta Gavurová, Anna Maroušková | Josef Maroušek | Institute of Technology and Business in České Budějovice, Czech Republic | Energy Nexus | 52 | 10.1016/j.nexus.2024.100335 |
| 9 | New insights into rare earth element-induced microalgae lipid accumulation: Implication for biodiesel production and adsorption mechanism | Xueting Song, Bing-Feng Liu, Fanying Kong, Qingqing Song, Nan-Qi Ren, Hong-Yu Ren | Nanqi Ren, Hong‐Yu Ren | Harbin Institute of Technology, China | Water Research | 51 | 10.1016/j.watres.2024.121134 |
| 10 | Assessing global carbon sequestration and bioenergy potential from microalgae cultivation on marginal lands leveraging machine learning | Minghao Chen, Yixuan Chen, Qingtao Zhang | Qingtao Zhang | Harvard University, United States | The Science of The Total Environment | 49 | 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174462 |
| 11 | The primary carbon metabolism in cyanobacteria and its regulation | Stefan Lucius, Martin Hagemann | Martin Hagemann | University of Rostock, Germany | Frontiers in Plant Science | 48 | 10.3389/fpls.2024.1417680 |
| 12 | Fueling sustainability: Co-pyrolysis of microalgae biomass and waste plastics for renewable energy and waste mitigation | Ahmad Nawaz, Hayat Ali Haddad, Mudasir Akbar Shah, Shihab Uddin, Mohammad M. Hossain, Shaikh Abdur Razzak | Shaikh Abdur Razzak | King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, Saudi Arabia | Biomass and Bioenergy | 44 | 10.1016/j.biombioe.2024.107303 |
| 13 | The application of magical microalgae in carbon sequestration and emission reduction: Removal mechanisms and potential analysis | He Dahai, Yin Zhihong, Qin Lin, Yuhong Li, Lei Tian, Jiang Li, Zhu Liandong | Yin Zhihong | Guizhou University, China | Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews | 39 | 10.1016/j.rser.2024.114417 |
| 14 | Microalgae stress sensing through oxidative phosphorylation drives bioenergy potential: Deciphering mechanisms and future opportunities | Adamu Yunusa Ugya, Xiang Li, Hui Chen, Qiang Wang | Hui Chen, Qiang Wang | Kaduna State University, Nigeria | Journal of environmental chemical engineering | 39 | 10.1016/j.jece.2024.114266 |
| 15 | A growth phase analysis on the influence of light intensity on microalgal stress and potential biofuel production | Ana F. Esteves, Eva M. Salgado, Vítor J.P. Vilar, Ana L. Gonçalves, José C.M. Pires | José C.M. Pires | University of Porto, Portugal | Energy Conversion and Management | 38 | 10.1016/j.enconman.2024.118511 |
| 16 | Particle-attached bacteria act as gatekeepers in the decomposition of complex phytoplankton polysaccharides | Feng-Qing Wang, Daniel Bartosik, Chandni Sidhu, Robin Siebers, De-Chen Lu, Anke Trautwein-Schult, Dörte Becher, Bruno Huettel, Johannes Rick, Inga V Kirstein, Karen H Wiltshire, Thomas Schweder, Bernhard M Fuchs, Mia M Bengtsson, Hanno Teeling, Rudolf I Amann | Daniel Bartosik, Chandni Sidhu | University of Greifswald, Germany | Microbiome | 38 | 10.1186/s40168-024-01757-5 |
| 17 | Promoting symbiotic relationship between microalgae and bacteria in wastewater treatment processes: Technic comparison, microbial analysis, and future perspectives | Cong-Cong Tang, Yaru Hu, Zhang-Wei He, Zhihua Li, Yu Tian, Xiaochang C. Wang | Cong-Cong Tang, Yu Tian | Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, China | Chemical Engineering Journal | 37 | 10.1016/j.cej.2024.155703 |
| 18 | Application of Artificial Intelligence and Image Processing for the Cultivation of <i>Chlorella</i> sp. Using Tubular Photobioreactors | Thananop Tummawai, Thongchai Rohitatisha Srinophakun, Surapol Padungthon, Somboon Sukpancharoen | Somboon Sukpancharoen | Khon Kaen University, Thailand | ACS Omega | 37 | 10.1021/acsomega.4c05971 |
| 19 | Bidirectional Enhancement of Nitrogen Removal by Indigenous Synergetic Microalgal–Bacterial Consortia in Harsh Low-C/N Wastewater | Yanni Geng, Zhensheng Xiong, Liming Yang, Chun-Ang Lian, Spyros G Pavlostathis, Zhiguang Qiu, Houxing Chen, Qingchun Luo, Yuanqi Liu, Zhuochao Liu, Penghui Shao, Jian-Ping Zou, Hualin Jiang, Shenglian Luo, Ke Yu, Xubiao Luo | Liming Yang, Ke Yu, Xubiao Luo | Nanchang Hangkong University, China | Environmental Science & Technology | 35 | 10.1021/acs.est.3c10322 |
| 20 | Innovative microalgae technologies for mariculture wastewater treatment: Single and combined microalgae treatment mechanisms, challenges and future prospects | Jinjin Zhao, Licheng Peng, Xiangmeng Ma | Xiangmeng Ma | Guangxi University, China | Environmental Research | 35 | 10.1016/j.envres.2024.120560 |

## Topic trends

### What Topics Define the Class of 2026?

The informative word cloud across the 50 highest 18-month-cited algal biology and biofuel production papers reveals a field focused on microalgae-bacteria consortia, lipid accumulation pathways, and integrated bioprocess engineering for wastewater treatment. Microalgae-bacteria consortia lead the cohort at 9 of 50 papers (normalized frequency 0.18), reflecting widespread adoption of synergistic co-cultivation systems for enhanced biomass yield and oxygen transfer. Lipid accumulation also anchors 9 papers (0.18), driven by metabolic engineering and stress-induced triacylglycerol synthesis for biodiesel feedstocks. Environmental remediation and nutrient recycling form a prominent cluster, featuring phosphorus removal (6 papers, 0.12), nitrogen removal (6 papers, 0.12), and wastewater treatment (4 papers, 0.08). Nutrient limitation strategies (5 papers, 0.10) highlight operational controls used to trigger lipid and secondary metabolite synthesis. Carbon mitigation themes are well represented by carbon capture (4 papers, 0.08), carbon sequestration (4 papers, 0.08), and photosynthetic oxygen supply (4 papers, 0.08), demonstrating the dual utility of microalgal platforms in industrial decarbonization. Cultivation technology and model strains are marked by photobioreactors (4 papers, 0.08) and Chlorella vulgaris (4 papers, 0.08). Specialized downstream processes—including extracellular polymeric substances, flocculation, open pond cultivation, and carotenoid extraction—round out the top-cited literature, underscoring a shift toward circular bioeconomy approaches that couple biofuel feedstock generation with wastewater purification.

*Leading research themes*

### How Did Topics Shift from the Class of 2025 to the Class of 2026?

Comparing normalized concept frequencies between the Class of 2025 (2023 publications) and Class of 2026 (2024 publications) cohorts shows a clear reorientation toward targeted physiological induction, co-culture optimization, and detailed multi-omics characterization. Nutrient limitation exhibited the sharpest increase (+0.08 normalized frequency; 1 versus 5 papers), alongside lipid accumulation (+0.08; 5 versus 9 papers), signaling heightened research focus on metabolic stress triggers that maximize lipid productivity. Microalgae-bacteria consortia continued their upward trajectory (+0.04; 7 versus 9 papers), accompanied by gains in specific nutrient recovery mechanics like phosphorus removal (+0.04; 4 versus 6 papers) and model strain studies of Chlorella vulgaris (+0.04; 2 versus 4 papers). Emerging topics in the 2024 cohort include biofilm formation, ammonia removal, transcriptomic analysis, metabolomics, and lipid profiling, reflecting deeper mechanistic inquiry into algal syntrophy and metabolic pathways. Conversely, broad environmental application descriptors experienced notable declines. Wastewater treatment dropped most significantly (−0.12; 10 versus 4 papers), followed by bioremediation (−0.08; 6 versus 2 papers) and carbon sequestration (−0.06; 7 versus 4 papers), as high-impact literature shifted from general remediation reporting to specialized physiological and bio-based recovery mechanisms. Together, these shifts highlight an evolving domain prioritizing precise metabolic control, multi-species consortium engineering, and high-value co-product recovery over broad-brush bioremediation.

*How topics shifted year over year*

## Cite this ranking

```
Pepkio Research Index (PRI). Topics and Trends in Most Cited Algal biology and biofuel production Papers, Class of 2026. https://pri.pepkio.com/top-papers/algal-biology-and-biofuel-production/2026. Accessed 2026-07-21.

Zheng Su, Tinsley Li, Thematic Shifts in Early-High-Impact Cancer Genomics and Diagnostics Research: A Bibliometric and Semantic Analysis. bioRxiv 2026.07.04.736459; doi: https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.07.04.736459
```