Engineering and Biological Mechanisms of Microalgal CO2 Fixation: A Review from Molecular Regulation to System Optimization

Microalgae are among the most efficient photosynthetic organisms on Earth, and their capacity for CO2 fixation directly links the global carbon cycle with green energy conversion, positioning them as strategic biological platforms for achieving carbon neutrality. This review provides a comprehensive and multiscale synthesis of the engineering and biological mechanisms underlying microalgal CO2 fixation, integrating perspectives from gas–liquid mass transfer, CO2 assimilation pathways, key enzymatic systems, metabolic regulation, and environmental control. From an engineering standpoint, we analyze the limitations governing CO2 transfer from the gas phase to the aqueous phase and critically evaluate intensification strategies aimed at enhancing inorganic carbon availability in cultivation systems. At the biological and biochemical levels, we dissect carbon concentrating mechanisms (CCMs), including C4-like pathways, and elucidate the structural organization, regulatory properties, and functional coordination of Rubisco and carbonic anhydrase systems. Particular emphasis is placed on the coupling between enzyme-level regulation and metabolic flux redistribution, supported by insights from metabolic flux analysis and systems-level modeling, to establish theoretical and engineering foundations for improving carboxylation efficiency. Finally, we propose an integrated roadmap for the future development of microalgal CO2 fixation technologies, highlighting the convergence of synthetic biology, artificial intelligence, and systems engineering to achieve end-to-end optimization from molecular mechanisms to reactor-scale performance, while enabling the valorization of waste gas streams and circular carbon utilization. This review aims to provide a coherent theoretical framework and forward looking perspective for the development of efficient, intelligent, and sustainable microalgal CO2 fixation systems.