Current and Potential Applications of Microalgae: A Mini Review

George Papapolymerou

doi:10.19080/ofoaj.2019.11.555811

Abstract

Microalgae are unicellular photosynthetic organisms that use light and carbon dioxide, with higher photosynthetic efficiency than plants, to produce biomass. Some microalgae species can also grow and multiply heterotrophically in the absence of light if an organic carbon source becomes available. Their biodiversity is large; there are species that grow in fresh water and others in saltwater. The use of microalgae is applicable in many sectors; they are used as nutritional supplements for human nutrition, as feed ingredient in diets for animals and fish, in wastewater management, in pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry, as well as in biodiesel production.

Highlights

Microalgae, in general, can be used by the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry, in wastewater management, as nutritional supplements for human nutrition and as supplement in animal and pet feeds [1,2]
The use of microalgae is applicable in many sectors; they are used as nutritional supplements for human nutrition, as feed ingredient in diets for animals and fish, in wastewater management, in pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry, as well as in biodiesel production
High value products can be produced by microalgae, such as carotenoids, astaxanthin, antioxidants and the long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids: docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and arachidonic acid (AA) [6]

Summary

Introduction

Microalgae, in general, can be used by the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry, in wastewater management, as nutritional supplements for human nutrition and as supplement in animal and pet feeds [1,2] Αs photosynthetic organisms, they contain chlorophylls that can be used for food and cosmetic purposes [3]. High value products can be produced by microalgae, such as carotenoids, astaxanthin, antioxidants and the long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids: docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and arachidonic acid (AA) [6]. Another application of microalgae is found in the food industry, where they are utilised as food dyes in candies, chewing gums or beverages [7]. Over the last two decades a substantial amount of research has been conducted in order to produce biodiesel from lipids extracted from algal biomass as well as other biofuels such as ethanol

Findings

Discussion

Conclusion