High-value products from microalgae—their development and commercialisation

The third sector, comprising a vast array of organisations that are neither part of government nor formed primarily to generate a profit for owners, is an important part of a well-functioning society. Governments can assist the development of a strong and sustainable third sector by ensuring there is a supportive legal and regulatory environment This article suggests ways in which well-framed laws and regulations can help the third sector. Then, drawing on Australian examples, it goes on to indicate how a badly managed legal and regulatory environment can damage the third sector. It concludes that even if the legal environment is supportive, it will be ineffective if the wider policy environment is hostile toward the third sector. A lesson for third sector organisations is that they must work together to ensure a favourable legal, regulatory and policy environment.

This paper examines the variation in insurance company financial performance across states with different legal and regulatory environments. These environments are distinguished by a diverse set of measures created by the states to address problems in the insurance area. Using firm–level financial data for the period 1984–1991, quantile regression methodology is used to describe the differential relationships between profitability and these measures. The results indicate that the distribution of profitability is only weakly related to insurers’ regulatory and legal environments, and is significantly related to other factors, such as the size of the firm and the effective number of competitors.

The ability to regulate and manipulate the generation or remodeling of blood vessels is key to the successful treatment of many chronic diseases, both oncological and non-oncological. Several bioactive compounds present in human diets are now known to exert an inhibitive effect on the either the signaling or construction of new blood vessels. The i

Since the original American Heart Association (AHA) Science Advisory was published in 1996,1 important new findings have been reported about the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids on cardiovascular disease (CVD). Omega-3 fatty acids are obtained from two dietary sources: seafood and certain nut and plant oils. Fish and fish oils contain the 20-carbon eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and the 22-carbon docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), whereas canola, walnut, soybean, and flaxseed oils contain the 18-carbon α-linolenic acid (ALA). ALA appears to be less potent than EPA and DHA. The evidence supporting the clinical benefits of omega-3 fatty acids derive from population studies and randomized, controlled trials, and new information has emerged regarding the mechanisms of action of these nutrients. These are outlined in a recent Scientific Statement, “Fish Consumption, Fish Oil, Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Cardiovascular Disease.”2 See page e20 Large-scale epidemiologic studies suggest that people at risk for coronary heart disease (CHD) benefit from consuming omega-3 fatty acids from plants and marine sources. Although the ideal amount to take is not firmly established, evidence from prospective secondary prevention studies suggests that intakes of EPA+DHA ranging from 0.5 …

Algae, the under-utilized and important bioresource, are graciously abundant in Nigeria, especially in the coastal zones for both microalgae and macroalgae. In the recent times, developments and urbanization are paving way for the encroachment into the water bodies hereby reducing the abundance of some seaweeds and bringing forth new species of microalgae in addition to the other ones. Algae have various applications especially in the production of biofuels and high-value chemicals such as β-carotene, astaxanthin, docosahexanoic acid, proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, vitamins, and antioxidants, with applications in cosmetics, nutritional, nutraceuticals, functional foods and pharmaceuticals industries. Algae have the potential to play an important role as a renewable raw material for different applications, using some eco-friendly technologies, and help in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and pollutants. Genetic engineering techniques currently used in plant and microbial biotechnology, including synthetic biology and metabolic engineering, are recently employed to enable algae more predictably produce desired lipids for biofuels, alcohols, proteins, enzymes and other molecules, or carbohydrate-rich biomass for bioprocessing. In Nigeria, the potentials of microalgae for different applications in solving some of the sustainable development goals (SDGs) are coming to limelight as some publications have emerged, but more efforts are needed as more research need to be done in line with the trending technologies. Hence, this chapter elucidates the emerging eco- and bio-technologies in the application of algae for biofuel and other high-value products.

Chapter 3 - Microalgae: A Promising Feedstock for Energy and High-Value Products

Microalgae (including cyanobacteria) are promising organisms for sustainable products for use as feedstocks for food, feed, fine chemicals, and biofuels. They can synthesize a broad range of products with medium‐ to high‐value market price such as β‐1,3‐glucan polysaccharide, single‐cell‐protein, carotenoids and phycobilin pigments, and long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids that are commercialized in the food industry as dietary supplements and functional foods, in the pharmaceutical and chemical industries as cosmaceuticals and flavorants, and in the therapeutic field as nutraceutical compounds. These microorganisms are also exceptional producers of omega‐3 and omega‐6 fatty acids such as eicosapentaenoic, docosahexaenoic, and arachidonic acids that have been linked to several human health benefits. The aim of this paper is to review the main existing high‐value products that can be derived from microalgae with a particular focus on food science and technology applications. It also describes the gross and fine chemical composition of various algal species and details the nutritive importance of selected constituents. Finally, nutritional quality standards and legislative provisions to ensure food safety in the use of algal biomass are presented.

Chapter 3 - Marine fungal biocatalysts: The bionomical standpoint

The increasing demand for sustainable and nutrient-dense food sources has intensified interest in microalgae like Chlorella vulgaris (C. vulgaris). This review explores the therapeutic potentials of C. vulgaris, as well as related mechanisms, hurdles, and prospects, signifying its ability to improve nutritional enhancement and disease risk reduction. It was found that C. vulgaris comprises alkaline earth metals, vitamins, polyunsaturated fatty acids, phenolics, proteins, and pigments, and therefore is considered a functional food, a feed supplement for fish farming, and stock feed. C. vulgaris exhibits significant nutraceutical potential with antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and immunomodulatory properties. Current findings have supported the multifaceted nutritional and health benefits of C. vulgaris. Moreover, ongoing exploration is uncovering further therapeutic potential, fostering its incorporation into dietary strategies for disease prevention and vitality promotion. The high macronutrient and micronutrient value, as well as various therapeutic properties, make C. vulgaris a reliable ingredient in the human diet, ranging from confectionery to beverages. However, its large-scale application in functional foods and dietary supplements is constrained by challenges such as limited bioavailability, sensory acceptance issues, production scalability, and regulatory barriers. Addressing these limitations, multi-omics approaches, and harmonized regulatory frameworks are recommended for a comprehensive understanding of C. vulgaris's nutraceutical potential.

Biological potential of microalgae in China for biorefinery-based production of biofuels and high value compounds

Carbon nanomaterials such as single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) can improve algal photosynthetic efficiency and increase the production of valuable compounds without decreasing biomass productivity. This work investigates the effects of SWCNTs dispersed by different proteins or functionalized with carboxylic groups (SWCNT-COOH) on several microalgae and a cyanobacterium, aiming to enhance photosynthetic performance and produce valuable compounds. The best SWCNTs' dispersion in water was achieved with lysozyme (LSZ@SWCNT), histone (HST@SWCNT) and SWCNT-COOH. In most cases, no toxicity was observed when the phototrophs were exposed for 72h to these SWCNTs. The cyanobacterium Arthrospira platensis and the marine diatom Thalassiosira sp. were selected for evaluating the effects of exposure to LSZ@SWCNT for up to 14days. Increased production of valuable algal compounds (i.e., phycocyanin+38% in A. platensis after 14days, docosahexaenoic acid+92% and eicosapentaenoic acid+63% in Thalassiosira sp. after 7days) was observed without any impairment of the photosynthetic efficiency (+19% for Thalassiosira sp.). The effects observed on both the cell surface and intracellular structures (i.e., cell wall modifications, increased mucus, and vacuolization) suggested that the interaction with LSZ@SWCNT was responsible for the changes in biochemical composition and photosynthetic performance. Therefore, the proposed nanobiotechnological approach, which couples cyanobacteria and microalgae with SWCNTs, may tune the photosynthetic pathways towards the production of high-value compounds exploitable in cosmetics and nutraceuticals, ultimately improving the light-to-chemicals conversion processes without negatively impacting growth.

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid, plays a pivotal role in human health, especially related to neurological development, cardiovascular health, and anti-inflammatory activities. However, its use in functional food products is hindered by susceptibility to oxidation and poor stability during processing and storage. This review describes recent advances in biotechnology to address these issues by using encapsulation methods that can enhance DHA's stability and bioavailability. Firstly, DHA's structural characteristics, food sources, and health advantages are discussed followed by challenges in incorporating DHA into functional foods. Encapsulation offers significant advantages, including enhanced oxidative stability, extended shelf life, controlled release, and improved sensory acceptance, thereby enabling broader application of DHA in diverse functional food products. Different encapsulation strategies, such as microencapsulation, nanoencapsulation, and emulsion systems, are discussed. The review also highlights strategies for enhanced DHA encapsulation as well as applications for functional food focused on microalgae-based DHA products used in foods and raw materials.

Biomarker and Dietary Validation of a Canadian Food Frequency Questionnaire to Measure Eicosapentaenoic and Docosahexaenoic Acid Intakes from Whole Food, Functional Food, and Nutraceutical Sources

Astaxanthin, a red-orange carotenoid (3,3′-dihydroxy-β, β-carotene-4,4′-dione) with potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and therapeutic effects, is a valuable bioactive compound sustainably extracted from discarded shrimp and crab shells. As seafood industries grow, these by-products pose environmental challenges yet represent an untapped astaxanthin source competing traditional microalgal origins. This review emphasizes astaxanthin’s abundance in crustacean shells and the critical role of handling and processing in preserving yield and integrity. Traditionally sourced from Haematococcus pluvialis, its commercial use is limited by high cultivation costs. Recently, shrimp and crab shells-common seafood waste-have emerged as sustainable, cost-effective alternatives. The review rigorously discusses extraction methods including ethanol-based, ultrasonic, supercritical CO2, enzymatic, and emerging green solvents, evaluating yields, sustainability, cost, and scalability. Ethanol-based ultrasound-assisted extraction achieved efficient, eco-friendly yields up to 239.96 µg g-1 in Procambarus clarkii shells. Silica gel chromatography enhanced purity to 85.1%, enabling use in functional foods, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. Purification techniques employing advanced chromatographic and spectrophotometric assays convert crude extracts into pharmaceutical-grade astaxanthin. Applications span food systems-emulsions, microcapsules, antioxidant films-and cosmetics featuring liposomes, nanoemulsions, and cyclodextrins to optimize stability and bioavailability. Each technology balances bioactivity, shelf-life, and safety compliance. The review concludes by highlighting the imperative for safe, effective, and economically viable astaxanthin recovery from seafood waste, aiming to advance sustainable, high-value compound production for food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic sectors while mitigating environmental impact.

There remains academic debate on the association between credible financial information and small firms’ access to diversified sources of finance. This study investigates the role of credible financial information and its interaction with a country’s legal and regulatory environment on the access of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to diversified sources of finance in 129 developing countries. The findings indicate positive impacts of financial information quality and a country’s legal and regulatory environment on small firms’ access to diversified sources of finance. SMEs operating in a weak legal and regulatory environment benefit more from providing credible financial information. The findings are robust after controlling for the endogeneity of firms audit decision using a two-stage instrumental variable method. Our evidence suggests that firms’ credible signaling of the quality of their financial information helps reduce the adverse selection problem for finance suppliers, increasing small firms’ access to diversified sources of finance.