Potential Applications of Microalgae and Its Derivatives in Various Industries: A Future Bioeconomy

초록

Algae has been in use for 2000 years, however, microalgal commercial applications have only been known to people for the past three decades. Due to their high nutritional value, red, green, and brown algae are mass-cultured to produce dietary supplements. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), pigments like carotenoids and phycobiliproteins, and bioactive substances are helpful as nutraceuticals, medicines, and industrial products. Microalgae, for example, can be utilized to improve the nutritional content of food and animal feed, play a key role in aquaculture, and even be used in cosmetics. Future research should focus on photobioreactors, open pond systems, and strain genetic alteration. Microalgal products would thus become more diverse and competitive in the economy. © 2024 selection and editorial matter, Nivedita Sahu and S. Sridhar; individual chapters, the contributors.