The marine environment is one of the major biomass producers of algae and
seaweed; it is rich in functional ingredients or active metabolites with valuable nutritional
health effects. Algal Metabolites derived from the cultivation of both microalgae and
macroalgae may positively impact human health, offering physiological, pharmaceutical
and nutritional benefits. Microalgae have been widely used as novel sources of bioactive
substances. Bioactive polymers extracted from algae, such as algal fucans, Galatians, alginates
phenolics, carotenoids, vitamin B12, and peptides possess antioxidant, anticoagulant,
antimicrobial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergy, anticancer, and hypocholesterolemic
properties. It emphasizes that using marine-derived compounds with bioactive
properties as functional food ingredients may help promote human health and prevent
chronic diseases. Utilizing bioactive compounds has demonstrated notable advantages in
terms of effectiveness more than conventional treatments and therapies currently in use.
Despite the availability of numerous microalgae-derived products catering to human
health and nutrition in the market, there remains a lack of social acceptance and awareness
regarding the health benefits of microalgae. Hence, this review aims to offer a comprehensive
account of the current knowledge on anticancers, antioxidants, commercially
available edible algal products and therapeutics isolated from algae.