Feb 02, 2026 (MarketLine via COMTEX) --
Alfredo Kono of FMIPA ITB says microalgae can serve as a nature-based solution for climate change mitigation by capturing COaee through photosynthesis and converting it into biomass.
Lecturer and researcher of the Biochemistry and Biomolecular Engineering Research Group, FMIPA ITB, Alfredo Kono, S.Si., M.Si., Ph.D., believes that microalgae can be a nature-based solution for climate change mitigation.
Alfredo emphasized that microalgae have the natural ability to capture carbon dioxide (CO2) through photosynthesis and convert it into biomass, thus potentially becoming a quick alternative solution amidst the urgency of the global climate crisis.
Indonesia's Natural Laboratory: From the Sea to Volcanic Craters
He said Indonesia has a strategic advantage due to its geographical characteristics as a maritime nation and located in the Ring of Fire. This provides a habitat for microalgae with extreme adaptation mechanisms rarely found in other countries.
This microalgae exploration was conducted in various locations, from tropical seas to volcanic areas in West Java, such as the Kamojang Crater, Talaga Bodas in Garut, and the Domas Crater in Tangkuban Parahu. From these areas, the research team successfully isolated and identified the red microalgae Galdieria sulphuraria, which can thrive in extreme conditions with very high acidity levels.
Extreme Microalgae and Carbon Capture Efficiency
Alfredo explained that one of the main advantages of microalgae is its rapid growth and land-use efficiency. Microalgae achieve optimal photosynthesis in about one to two days, compared to trees, which take years to grow and produce leaves.
He also said that microalgae can be cultivated in closed systems such as tanks, thus allowing implementation in various locations, including urban and industrial areas, without requiring large areas of land.
"One of the things that makes it powerful is its small size, but its fishing capacity can be much higher than that of plants on land," he said, Friday (30/1/2026).
From CO2 Capture to a Biotechnology-Based Circular Economy
In addition to carbon sequestration, Alfredo emphasized the importance of a circular economy approach, allowing captured CO2 to be converted into high-value biomass. Microalgae derivatives include lipids for biofuel, pigments for the cosmetics industry, and unique carbohydrates with potential for development in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors.
As a form of downstream research, the ITB team also developed the concept of a phototank or "liquid tree" that utilizes microalgae as an indoor air cleaning system, which aesthetically resembles furniture and beautifies the interior.
Scientific Database for National Climate Policy
Alfredo emphasized the importance of quantitative data to ensure microalgae's CO2 absorption capacity can be used as a reference for science-based policy. "We are currently calculating how much CO2 these microalgae can capture using existing equipment. We hope this can one day become a standard," he explained.
The data, developed in collaboration with UGM, is expected to support the government in formulating climate policies, including carbon tax schemes.
Alfredo is optimistic that Indonesia can mitigate climate change through domestic technology. He believes the richness of local biodiversity provides relevant solutions. Therefore, developing microalgae as a climate solution requires collaboration between basic science, engineering, industry, and policy so that research can transform into innovations with broad impacts on society.
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