Analysis of Scientific Research Driving Microalgae Market Opportunities in Europe

Abstract

A bibliographic database of scientific papers published by authors affiliated to research institutions worldwide, especially focused in Europe and in the European Atlantic Area, and containing the keywords “microalga(e)” or “phytoplankton” was built. A corpus of 79,020 publications was obtained and analyzed using the Orbit Intellixir software to characterize the research trends related to microalgae markets, markets opportunities and technologies that could have important impacts on markets evolution. Six major markets opportunities, the production of biofuels, bioplastics, biofertilizers, nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, and two fast-evolving technological domains driving markets evolution, microalgae harvesting and extraction technologies and production of genetically modified (GM-)microalgae, were highlighted. We here present an advanced analysis of these research domains to give an updated overview of scientific concepts driving microalgae markets.

Antioxidant Production in Dunaliella

“…Microalgae are singled celled micro-bio-factories capable of producing a wide variety of high-value compounds (carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, carotenoids, phycobiliproteins, phenolic, polyunsaturated fatty acids and antioxidants) used in the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, cosmetic, and food processing industries [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]. Microalgal biomass can be added directly as a nutrient enhancer in animal feeds; as an enhancer for improving the quality of food; and as a stabiliser for maintaining the colour and flavour of food products [3,[11][12][13][14]. The global microalgae market has gradually expanded, and worldwide sales are expected to exceed US $3.2 billion by the end of 2030 [15].…”

Isolation of Industrial Important Bioactive Compounds from Microalgae

“…Many studies have documented the health benefits of microalgae compounds for prevention and improvement of diseases such as diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, cancer, inflammation, Alzheimer’s diseases, depression as well as bacterial, fungal, and viral infections [ 38 , 48 , 49 ]. Despite this, only a limited number of microalgae with pharmaceutical applications are currently available as listed in Table 2 .…”

Isolation of Industrial Important Bioactive Compounds From Microalgae: A Review

“…Besides that, sulfated polysaccharides with antiviral properties have also been described. For example, calcium spirulan isolated from Spirulina platensis showed antiviral activity against HIV-1 with IC50 of 9.3 µg/ml comparable to the dextran sulfate control when assessed by P24 antigen assay [49]. The sulfated exopolysaccharide (1 µg/mL) from the Spanish strain of Porphyridium cruentum showed strong inhibitory effect on the cytopathic effect on Herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1), Herpes simplex virus-2 (HSV-2) and Vericella virus (VZV) with CPE50 protection of 0.7-5 µg/mL [50].…”

“…Many studies have documented the health benefits of microalgae compounds for prevention and improvement of diseases such as diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, cancer, inflammation, Alzheimer's diseases, depression as well as bacterial, fungal and viral infections [42,48,49]. Despite that, only a limited number of microalgae with pharmaceutical applications are currently available as listed in Table 2.…”