Purpose of Review

Cyanobacteria, commonly known as blue-green algae, are often seen as a problem. Their accumulation (bloom) in surface water can cause toxicity and aesthetic concerns. Efforts have been made in preventing and managing cyanobacterial blooms. By contrast, purposeful cultivation of cyanobacteria can create great opportunities in food, chemical and biofuel applications. This review summarises the current stage of research and the socio-economic impacts associated with both the problems and opportunities induced from the presence of cyanobacteria in surface water.

Recent Findings

Insightful knowledge of factors that trigger cyanobacterial blooms has allowed for the development of prevention and control strategies. Advanced technologies are utilised to detect, quantify and treat cyanobacterial biomass and cyanotoxins in a timely manner. Additionally, understanding of cyanobacterial biochemical properties enables their applications in food and health industry, agriculture and biofuel production. Researchers have been able to genetically modify several cyanobacterial strains to obtain a direct pathway for ethanol and hydrogen production.

Summary

Cyanobacterial blooms have been effectively addressed with advances technologies and cyanobacterial research. However, this review identified a knowledge gap regarding cyanotoxin synthesis and the relevant environmental triggers. This information is essential for developing measures to prevent cyanobacterial blooms. Additionally, this review affirms the promising opportunities that cyanobacteria offer in the food, cosmetics, pigments and agriculture. Biofuel production from cyanobacterial biomass presents an immense potential but is currently constrained by the cultivation process. Thus, future research should strive to achieve effective mass harvesting of cyanobacterial biomass and obtain a profound understanding of cyanotoxin production.

中文翻译：

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地表水中的蓝藻：问题与机遇

审查目的

蓝细菌通常被称为蓝藻，通常被认为是一个问题。它们在地表水中的积累（水华）会引起毒性和美观问题。在防止和管理蓝细菌水华方面已经做出了努力。相比之下，有目的的蓝细菌培养可以在食品，化学和生物燃料应用中创造巨大的机会。这篇综述总结了研究的现阶段以及与地表水中蓝细菌的存在所引起的问题和机遇相关的社会经济影响。

最近的发现

对引发蓝藻花开的因素的深入了解使得预防和控制策略得以发展。先进的技术可用于及时检测，定量和处理蓝细菌生物量和蓝藻毒素。此外，对蓝细菌生化特性的了解使其能够应用于食品和健康行业，农业和生物燃料生产。研究人员已经能够对几种蓝细菌菌株进行基因修饰，以获得乙醇和氢气生产的直接途径。

概要

蓝藻水华已通过先进技术和蓝细菌研究得到有效解决。然而，这篇综述发现了关于氰毒素合成和相关环境诱因的知识空白。该信息对于制定预防蓝藻水华的措施至关重要。此外，该评论肯定了蓝细菌在食品，化妆品，颜料和农业中提供的有希望的机会。从蓝细菌生物质生产生物燃料具有巨大潜力，但目前受到种植过程的限制。因此，未来的研究应努力实现蓝藻生物质的有效大规模收获，并对蓝藻毒素的产生有深刻的了解。