Challenges and Opportunities in the Present Era of Marine Algal Applications

Abstract

Marine algae are of high importance in their natural habitats and even more now in the world of green technology. The sprouting interest of the scientific community and industries in these organisms is driven by the fast-growing world of modern biotechnology. Genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics and their integration collectively termed here as 'marine algal-omics' have broadened the research horizon in view of enhancing human's life by addressing environmental problems and encouraging novelty in the field of pharmaceuticals among so many more. Their use in the human society dates back to 500 B. C. in China and later across the globe; they are still being used for similar purposes and more today. There is a hiking interest in marine algae and their derivatives-from phycoremediation, food supplements, pharmaceuticals to dyes. Marine algae are currently considered as an emerging panacea for the society. They are being studied in a multitude of arenas. The multi-use of marine algae is enticing and promises to be a boon for industrial applications. Yet, most marine algae face challenges that might variably constrain their commercialisation. This chapter gives an overview of marine algae including all the 'omics' technologies involved in studying marine algae and it explores their multitude applications. It also draws the various successful industries budded around them and presents some of the challenges and opportunities along with future directions.

Microalgae for High-Value Products Towards Human Health and Nutrition

“…Some of these metabolites have demonstrated biological activities, including potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antiviral properties [23,24,25]. Thus, microalgae and microalgae-derived compounds have great potential as supplements in the human diet for the prevention, management, and treatment of physiological aberrations, in addition to providing sustainable natural resources in lieu of synthetic dietary supplements [26]. However, there are emergent biological and economic challenges associated with the large-scale cultivation of microalgae and the biorefinery process that must be addressed to ensure the sustainable production of high-value products with nutritional and health benefits.…”

Recent Advances in 3D Bioprinting: A Review of Cellulose-Based Biomaterials Ink

“…In general, a light source will aid algae in converting water and carbon dioxide into biomass. Commonly, algae are divided into two main groups, which are macroalgae and microalgae, and have complex structures [ 64 , 65 ]. Size and cellular structure are the characteristics used to classify the algae into the two main groups [ 66 ].…”

Bioprospecting Indigenous Marine Microalgae for Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Under Different Media Conditions

“…Algae are of vital importance in the primary establishment and maintenance of aquatic and marine ecosystems (Beetul et al, 2016;Barkia et al, 2019). The marine environment comprises diversity of organisms which are potential sources of bioactive, secondary metabolites, with application in pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and functional foods (Barkia et al, 2019).…”

“…Fatty acids, protein, and pigments are the most commonly available products from microalgae in market (Nagi et al, 2021). Fatty acids obtained from microalgae are applied as sustainable synthetic dietary alternatives to fish oil and possess potential in the treatment, prevention, and management of some physiological anomalies (Beetul et al, 2016). Advantages of fatty acids from microalgae over those from fish oil are primarily related to renewable and economical production (Ray et al, 2022), but they can also have tailored levels of different PUFAs that show benefit against inflammation and cardiacrelated diseases such as hypertension and thrombosis (Nauroth et al, 2010;Adarme-Vega et al, 2014).…”