Acid Tolerant and Acidophilic Microalgae: An Underexplored World of Biotechnological Opportunities.

Despite their large number and diversity, microalgae from only four genera are currently cultivated at large-scale. Three of those share common characteristics: they are cultivated mainly autotrophically and are extremophiles or tolerate "extreme conditions." Extreme growth conditions aid in preventing contamination and predation of microalgae, therefore facilitating outdoor cultivation.