Algal Lipid Research Articles

Simultaneous Treatment of Swine and Furfural Wastewater Integrated with Lipid Production of Chlorella pyrenoidosa

Adding organic compounds to wastewater can improve the carbon/nitrogen ratio and benefit microalgae growth. We studied microalgal growth, nutrient removal and lipid accumulation of Chlorella pyrenoidosa cultured in a mixture of swine wastewater (SW) and furfural wastewater (FW). The mix ratio of SW:DFW (diluted furfural wastewater) had a significant effect on microalgae growth. As the mix ratio of SW:DFW decreased from 1:0.5 to 1:19, the maximum microalgal biomass increased, while the specific growth rate initially increased and then decreased. The efficiency of nutrient removal also depended on the mix ratio of wastewater. The highest chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiency (57.30%) occurred at the mix ratio of SW:DFW = 1:3. The highest removal efficiencies of total phosphorous (TP) reached 61.93% when the mix ratio of SW:DFW was 1:9. Wastewater at the mix ratio of SW:DFW = 1:19 had a maximum lipid productivity of 49.48 mg L−1 d−1, which was 4.9 times higher than that at a mix ratio of SW:DFW = 1:0.5. These results showed that C. pyrenoidosa can be used to remove nutrients from mixed wastewater sources and simultaneously produce algal lipids.

Mineral-hydrogel composites for mitigating harmful algal bloom and supplying phosphorous for photo-biorefineries

Harmful algal blooms (HAB) are a major environmental concern in eutrophic aquatic systems. To mitigate HABs and recover the phosphorus that drives algal growth, this study developed hydrogel composites seeded with calcium phosphate and wollastonite particles, which first adsorb phosphate (P) and then precipitate it as calcium phosphate. Using a fast-growing cyanobacterium, Synechococcus elongatus 2973, as a model microalga, we found that the mineral-hydrogel composites reduced dissolved P in BG11 media from 5.1 mg/L to 0.31 mg/L, initially reducing the biomass growth rate by up to 73 % and ultimately reducing the total biomass concentration by 75 %. When applied to municipal wastewater and agricultural run-off, the composites removed 96 % and 91 % of the dissolved P, respectively. Moreover, when the recovered P-enriched composites were reused as a slow-release bio-compatible fertilizer in a photobioreactor, they effectively supported algal growth without blocking light and interfering with photosynthesis. The P-enriched composites could tune the P concentration in the culture medium and significantly promote algal lipid accumulation. This study demonstrates the mineral-hydrogel composites' potential to treat point sources of P pollution and subsequently facilitate photoautotrophic biofuel production as a nutrient, effectively recycling the captured P.

Quantitative Proteomics of Chromochloris zofingiensis Reveals the Key Proteins Involved in Cell Growth and Bioactive Compound Biosynthesis.

Glucose metabolism regulates cell growth and affects astaxanthin accumulation in the green algae Chromochloris zofingiensis. Hub gene functioning in this bioactive compound has been illustrated at the genome, transcriptome and metabolome level, but is rather limited from a proteome aspect. Microalgal cell produce an enhanced biomass (8-fold higher) but decreased lipid and astaxanthin content (~20% less) in the glucose condition compared to the control. Here, we investigate the proteomic response of C. zofingiensis grown with and without glucose using an LC-MS/MS-based Tandem Mass Tag (TMT) approach. The proteomic analysis demonstrated that glucose supplementation triggers the upregulation of 105 proteins and downregulation of 151 proteins. Thus, the carbon and energy flux might flow to cell growth, which increased the associated protein abundance, including DNA polymerase, translation initiation factor, 26S proteasome regulatory subunits, and the marker enzyme of the TCA cycle ribosomal protein. Moreover, the glucose supplement triggered the downregulation of proteins mainly involved in photosynthesis, chloroplasts, valine, leucine and isoleucine biosynthesis, 2-oxocarboxylic acid metabolism, and pantothenate and CoA biosynthesis pathways. This proteomic analysis is likely to provide new insights into algal growth and lipid or astaxanthin accumulation upon glucose supplementation, providing a foundation for further development of C. zofingiensis as oleaginous microalga for bioengineering applications.

Integral Approach for the Evaluation of Sugar Cane Bio-Waste Molasses and Effects on Algal Lipids and Biodiesel Production

Integral Approach for the Evaluation of Sugar Cane Bio-Waste Molasses and Effects on Algal Lipids and Biodiesel Production

The synergistic effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid and salinity during the enhancement of microalgal lipid production in photobioreactors

In the present work, combined application of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and salinity was used to stimulate biolipid production in the microalga Ankistrodesmus sp. EHY in a vertical tubular photobioreactor. Under 2.5 g L−1 NaCl combined with 50 μM GABA, the strain showed 1.36- and 1.27-fold increases in lipid content (59.42%) and lipid productivity (235.13 mg L−1 d−1), respectively, compared with the control. Wide-ranging analyses of the energy yield, biodiesel quality, cellular ultrastructure, signalling molecules, and lipogenesis genes were conducted to elucidate the role of GABA plus salinity on algal lipid accumulation. By using GABA and salinity treatments, the triacylglycerol (TAG) content and energy yield were increased, whereas the carbohydrate yield was decreased. The biodiesel quality of the algal biomass-derived lipids met the approved standards. The combinational strategy also increased the levels of endogenous reactive oxidative species (ROS), Ca2+, an autophagy-related protein (ATG8), glutathione (GSH) and proline, which might be associated with the increase in lipid synthesis and salt stress tolerance. Moreover, transcriptomic and metabolomic data indicated that the expression levels of TAG assembly, antioxidative system and autophagy-related genes, and the metabolite levels of the TCA cycle, GABA shunt and several stress hormones were consistent with the enhancements in lipid accumulation and stress tolerance. In the presence of GABA and salinity, exogenous proline (50 μM) and salicylic acid (SA; 12.5 mg L−1) further increased the lipid productivity to 280.48 mg L−1 d−1 and 263.58 mg L−1 d−1, respectively. Overall, the results demonstrate the significance, mechanism and applicability of using exogenous GABA combined with salinity to effectively stimulate bioenergy production by microalgae.

Algal lipids for biofuel production: strategies, environmental impacts, downstream processing and commercialization

Algal lipids for biofuel production: strategies, environmental impacts, downstream processing and commercialization

Hydroclimate variability in the United States continental interior during the early Eocene Climatic Optimum

The early Eocene (56.0 to 47.8 million years ago) was punctuated by a series of transient episodes of rapid global warming superimposed on the long-term early Cenozoic warming trend, culminating in the early Eocene Climatic Optimum (EECO; 53.3 to 49.1 million years ago). Details of the hydroclimate regime operating during the EECO are poorly constrained, especially for continental interior sites. The Green River Formation (GRF) of Utah and Colorado was deposited in a suite of large, unusually productive lakes that offer an ideal opportunity to study the hydrological response to warming. Here we report the hydrogen isotopic composition (δ 2 H) of leaf wax (long-chain n -alkanes) and algal (phytane) lipids preserved in the organic-rich Mahogany Zone (49.3 to 48.7 Ma) and use these data to reconstruct precipitation and lake water δ 2 H records, respectively. We observe large inter-site variations in algal and leaf wax δ 2 H values (~50 to 75‰), suggesting that additional local controls influence precipitation and/or lake water δ 2 H (e.g., salinity). Intriguingly, leaf wax and algal lipid δ 2 H values show little variation through the Mahogany Zone, implying a relatively stable hydrological regime during the latter phase of the EECO. This contrasts with the more variable hydrological regime that prevailed during early Eocene hyperthermals. Unlike the EECO, the early Eocene hyperthermals in the Uinta region do not coincide with the deposition of organic-rich sediments. This suggests that a stable hydrological regime during the EECO may enable the preservation of organic matter within continental-interior lake systems, potentially leading to an important negative climate feedback during the early Eocene and other greenhouse climates. • Gradual variations in leaf wax δ 2 H values indicate a stable hydrological cycle during the latter phase of theEECO. • However, leaf wax and algal δ 2 H values exhibit large lake inter-site variability (~50 to 75‰). • Stable hydroclimate may have promoted organic matter burial within the lake system. • High organic carbon burial may have acted as an important negative climate feedback.

Simultaneous optimization of economic, environmental and safety criteria for algal biodiesel process retrofitted using dividing wall column and multistage vapor recompression

The present study deals with the multiobjective optimization (MOO) of retrofitted in situ algal biodiesel process. Transesterification of the algal lipids is intensified using ultrasonication and catalyzed using the ionic liquid catalyst. Process includes the retrofitting of two conventional distillation columns into a dividing wall column (DWC), which is further intensified using multistage vapor recompression (DWC-MVR) in order to decrease the energy consumption and CO2 emission from the process. Excel based hybridised multiobjective differential evolutionary dynamic local search (HMODE-DLS) algorithm is used for the constrained MOO, whereas Aspen Plus is used for the process development. Break even cost (BEC), eco indicator (EI99) and individual risk (IR) are considered as objectives to evaluate economic, environmental impact, and safety of process, respectively. Initially, bi-objective case studies were analyzed and finally, all three objectives are studied in one case. Pareto optimal solutions obtained from HMODE-DLS algorithm are then ranked by the simple additive weighted method to find out the best solution. MOO resulted in the significant decrease in BEC (~20%), EI99 (~48%) and IR (~10%).

High-efficiency biofuel production by mixing seawater and domestic sewage to culture freshwater microalgae

Although microalgae biofuel has many advantages, its production is faced with difficulties regarding algal cell harvesting and low lipid content. In this experiment, mixtures of seawater and domestic sewage were prepared for the cultivation of freshwater microalgae. The results showed that the proportion of seawater had an important effect on the precipitation and biofuel production of the microalgae. The increasing proportion of seawater in the mixed wastewater improved the sedimentation performance and lipid content of microalgae, but the growth of microalgae was greatly inhibited under 80% seawater stress. Therefore, the highest algal lipid productivity of 10.74 mg L-1 d-1 was achieved in the wastewater containing 60% seawater, which was 2.15-fold higher than that of the control. Furthermore, the fatty acid saturation and the C16-C18 fatty acid proportion of the microalgae cultured in wastewater containing 60% seawater were relatively ideal, which was beneficial for improving the quality of biodiesel. Therefore, wastewater containing 60% seawater was the most favourable for the cultivation of biofuel-producing microalgae. The mechanism by which seawater improved the precipitation performance of freshwater microalgae was also investigated. The addition of seawater to the sewage increased the cell diameter of the microalgae, reduced the zeta potential of microalgal colloids, and promoted the synthesis of extracellular polymeric substances by the microalgal cells. Thus, the precipitation performance of the microalgae cells was effectively improved. The pigment contents and antioxidant enzyme activities of the microalgae were also determined, and it was found that the glutathione peroxidase activity of microalgae increased under certain seawater stress, indicating that glutathione peroxidase played an indispensable role in the removal of reactive oxygen species produced by seawater stress.

Efficient removal of nitrogen/ phosphorous by mix-cultivation of Haematococcus pluvialis and Simplicillium lanosoniveum in wastewater supplemented with NaHCO3

To remove nutrients efficiently, mix-cultivation of astaxanthin-producing green alga Haematococcus pluvialis and antibiotic-synthesizing fungus Simplicillium lanosoniveum DT06 (DT06) was conducted in unsterilized wastewater without/with addition of NaHCO3. Results showed that (1) in mixed culture at the optimal cell ratio of 30: 1, COD was removed completely, and removal efficiency of TN and TP increased to 83.3% and 88.2% respectively; (2) TN and TP removal efficiency were further promoted to 100% after addition of 0.6 g L–1 NaHCO3 to mixed culture with concurrent increases of algal biomass, lipid and astaxanthin contents to 1.95 g L–1, 0.39 g g–1 and 27.9 mg g–1 respectively. Hence, mix-cultivation of H. pluvialis and DT06 supplemented with NaHCO3 provide a cost-effective strategy for wastewater treatment and biodiesel/astaxanthin production.

Phycoremediation of milk processing wastewater and lipid-rich biomass production using Chlorella vulgaris under continuous batch system

This study compiles the results of phycoremediation of milk processing wastewater (MPWW) and production of lipid-rich Chlorella vulgaris biomass using a continuous batch system operated for 12-wks. After a 4-wks interval, a new MPWW was loaded photobioreactor to provide appropriate nutrient supply to algae. Results indicated that MPWW supported the algal growth efficiently and the maximum algal growth was recorded in the ranges of 400.36 to 421.58 mg L−1 during 4-wk's of the cultivation cycle. Average reduction in total nitrogen, TN (45.82–69.18%); nitrate, NO3 (93.32–94.54%); total ammonium nitrogen, TAN (92.94–94.54%); sulphate, SO4−2 (85.13–87.34%); total phosphorus (75.09–78.78%); and biochemical oxygen demands, BOD (89.53–92.40%) was recorded during 12-wks phycoremediation of MPWW. Harvested algal biomass (dry weight basis, DW) exhibited a significant content of total sugar (45.5%) and total lipid (39.7%). The lipid profiling results indicated the presence of palmitic acid (39.9%), oleic acid (21.08%), linoleic acid (13.13%), and other C18 compounds in algal biomass, suggesting the suitability of MPWW for Chlorella vulgaris cultivations. Algal biomass exhibited a high heating value (MJ/Kg of DW) in the range of 17.3 to 25.1, comparable to other lignocellulose biomass to be used for bioenergy purposes. Results of this study indicate that MPWW could be utilized as a valuable medium for Chlorella vulgaris cultivation under a circular economy approach: wastewater treatment and bioenergy feedstock production. The effect of controlled environmental conditions on algal growth behavior and lipid composition in biomass, while using MPWW as a medium, could be investigated in future studies.

NITROGEN STARVATION INDUCED LIPID ACCUMULATION BY Chlorococcum infusionum (EAU-10) AS POTENTIAL RENEWABLE SOURCE OF LIPID FOR BIODIESEL PRODUCTION

Microalgae are organisms effective of accumulating high quantity of industrially important lipids with promising characteristics as an excellent feedstock for biodiesel production. This study assess the possibility of using a green microalga, Chlorococcum infusionum (EAU-10) for biodiesel production by evaluating the growth characteristic, lipid yield and fatty acid profile of the microalga cultivated at varying concentrations of nitrogen source (0.375 - 1.50 g L-1 NaNO3). High lipid accumulation was observed in nitrogen-starved cultivation condition (0.375 g L-1 NaNO3) after 23 days of growth. Maximum biomass concentration of Chlorococcum infusionum (EAU-10) under nitrogen starved condition is 0.577 ± 0.003 g L−1 with 21.26% oil content per dry weight of algal biomass and lipid productivity of 22.08 mg L−1 day−1. Nitrogen starvation caused an increase in the total oil content and a decrease in biomass production of the microalga. Profiling of fatty acids of the obtained algal biodiesel shows methyl palmitate (C16:0) and methyl nonadecanoate (C19:0) contribute to almost 70% of Chlorococcum infusionum (EAU-10) fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) profile. Overall, a total of 74.58% of saturated fatty acid (SAFA) methyl ester content is present in the algal lipid, which is exceedingly high in contrast to other similar studies. Analysis of C. infusionum FAME profile in relation to some important fuel properties showed that the algal oil has the potential to produce biodiesel with excellent fuel qualities.

Marine fungal abilities to enzymatically degrade algal polysaccharides, proteins and lipids: a review

Marine fungal abilities to enzymatically degrade algal polysaccharides, proteins and lipids: a review

Contrasting Common Era climate and hydrology sensitivities from paired lake sediment dinosterol hydrogen isotope records in the South Pacific Convergence Zone

Hydroclimate on ‘Uvea (Wallis et Futuna) is controlled by rainfall associated with the South Pacific Convergence Zone (SPCZ), the southern hemisphere's largest precipitation feature. To extend the short observational precipitation record, the hydrogen isotopic composition of the algal lipid biomarker dinosterol (δ2Hdinosterol) was measured in sediment cores from two volcanic crater lakes on ‘Uvea. The modern lakes differ morphologically and chemically but both contain freshwater within the photic zone, support phytoplankton communities inclusive of dinosterol-producing dinoflagellates, and experience identical climate conditions. δ2Hdinosterol values track lake water isotope ratios, ultimately controlled in the tropics by precipitation amount and evaporative enrichment. However, in 88-m-deep Lac Lalolalo a steadily decreasing trend in sedimentary δ2Hdinosterol values from −227‰ around year 988 CE to modern values as low as −303‰, suggests this lake's evolution from an active volcanic setting to the present system strongly influenced δ2Hdinosterol values. Although current hydrology and water isotope systematics may now reflect precipitation and evaporation in this lake, the interaction between these processes and large changes in basin morphology, geochemistry, and hydrology obstruct the recovery of a climate signal from Lac Lalolalo's sedimentary δ2Hdinosterol records. This work emphasizes the importance of site replication and the use of complementary climate reconstruction tools, especially when using molecular proxies that may be sensitive to more than one environmental parameter. Contrary to its neighbor, duplicate δ2Hdinosterol records from 23-m-deep Lac Lanutavake varied between −277‰ and −297‰ and indicate slightly drier conditions during the time-period known as the Medieval Climate Anomaly (MCA, 950–1250 CE). The δ2Hdinosterol signal in Lac Lanutavake was muted compared to published records from ‘Upolu (Samoa) and Efate (Vanuatu) indicating that ‘Uvea's location is not as sensitive to precipitation variability at sites farther from the SPCZ central axis. Lithogenic runoff proxies combined with δ2Hdinosterol support the interpretation of a relatively dry MCA on ‘Uvea, ‘Upolu, and Efate, potentially due to less intense precipitation, a contracted, or a more zonally oriented SPCZ.

Utilization of whole microalgal biomass for advanced biofuel and biorefinery applications

To address issues related to climate crises, microalgae-based biofuels are considered a promising option for reducing carbon dioxide emissions in the transportation sector. However, despite extensive research conducted over the past 20 years, there are major limitations in the application of conventional algal biodiesel, such as the instability of oxygen-containing fuel, blending wall limitations (less than 20%), and poor cost competitiveness. Recently, biomass-based renewable hydrocarbon fuels (drop-in biofuels) have been considered technologically competitive alternatives to petrofuels owing to the advantages of carbon dioxide reduction, high energy density, and compatibility with existing infrastructure. This review discusses the integrative utilization of whole algal biomass for the development of an advanced algal biorefinery process that could strategically help produce drop-in biofuels and multiple by-products to meet the growing fuel demand and secure economic feasibility. This review provides an updated overview of recent technical advancements in the (1) mass cultivation of oleaginous algal biomass obtained from industrial wastes, (2) production of renewable biodiesel and bio-jet fuel using algal lipids via catalytic upgrading, and (3) diversification of bio-products generated from residual lipid-extracted biomass, such as hydrogen, methane, alcohols, bio-oils, organic acids, biosorbents, biomaterials, and nutrients. The challenges and prospects for practical application are discussed along with the major constraints on the commercialization of integrative algal biorefining.

Genome editing with removable TALEN vectors harboring a yeast centromere and\xa0autonomous replication sequence in\xa0oleaginous microalga

Algal lipids are expected to become a basis for sustainable fuels because of the highly efficient lipid production by photosynthesis accompanied by carbon dioxide assimilation. Molecular breeding of microalgae has been studied to improve algal lipid production, but the resultant gene-modified algae containing transgenes are rarely used for outdoor culture because the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) is strictly restricted under biocontainment regulations. Recently, it was reported that plasmids containing yeast centromere and autonomous replication sequence (CEN/ARS) behaved as episomes in Nannochloropsis species. We previously reported that the Platinum TALEN (PtTALEN) system exhibited high activity in Nannochloropsis oceanica. Therefore, we attempted to develop a genome editing system in which the expression vectors for PtTALEN can be removed from host cells after introduction of mutations. Using all-in-one PtTALEN plasmids containing CEN/ARS, targeted mutations and removal of all-in-one vectors were observed in N. oceanica, suggesting that our all-in-one PtTALEN vectors enable the construction of mutated N. oceanica without any transgenes. This system will be a feasible method for constructing non-GMO high-performance algae.

THE EXTRACTION OF OIL FROM Nannochloropsis sp. MICROALGAE USING ULTRASONIC AND FERMENTATION AS CELL DISRUPTION

Algae are a promising source of biofuel but claims about their lipid content can be ambiguous becauseextraction methods vary and lipid quantitation often does not distinguish between particular lipid classes.One of algae types that meet this condition is Nannochloropsis sp. Two different cell disruption methods,i.eultrasonic and fermentation followed by maceration extraction using a mixture of ethanol/hexane (1:1, v/v)as a solvent extraction were studied for their effectiveness in extraction of algae lipids from Nannochloropsissp. Contact time and amplitude were varied in ultrasonic process. Hydrolysis treatment was varied infermentation process, i.e Dillute Acid Pretreatment (DAP) hydrolysis, enzymatic hydrolysis and DAP withenzymatic hydrolysis. The result showed that ultrasonic process followed by maceration extraction wasmore effective for Nannochloropsis sp. lipid extraction. The most ideal treatment was at amplitude 40%and contact time 5 minutes with lipid content of 63.59% of dry weight.

Mixotrophic cultivation of microalgae to enhance the biomass and lipid production with synergistic effect of red light and phytohormone IAA

Microalgal cultivation still presents a big challenge in commercial application due to the small size and low density of microalgae. The effect of phytohormones or light spectra on enhancing microalgal growth has been individually demonstrated at the bench scale. However, the synergistic action of phytohormones and light spectra on algal growth and lipid production remains unclear. In this study, the optimal carbon and nitrogen concentrations, as well as the optimum dosage of the phytohormone indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), for the growth of Chlorella vulgaris were first evaluated under mixotrophic cultivation. A light spectrum experiment was then conducted in an incubator equipped with white and red light. Results show that optimal mixotrophic cultivation conditions were 10 g L−1 glucose, 2250 mg L−1 sodium nitrate and 10 mg L−1 IAA. Under the optimum IAA treatment and irradiation with red light, the highest biomass, lipid content and lipid productivity were 28.34%, 3.53 g L−1 and 140.04 mg L−1 d−1, respectively. As compared to white light, the synergistic action of red light and IAA stimulated biomass production and lipid accumulation by algal cell metabolism and carbon source bioconversion. Furthermore, the post-optimized C. vulgaris had the potential for biodiesel production. These results provide new insights for the highly efficient cultivation of microalgae.

Seasonal Flux of Ice‐Related Organic Matter During Under‐Ice Blooms in the Western Arctic Ocean Revealed by Algal Lipid Biomarkers

AbstractSatellite observations and modeling data have suggested a significant increase in net primary production in the Arctic Ocean over the last decade due to retreating sea ice and the development of light availability caused by Arctic warming. Subsequently, under‐ice blooms (UIBs) are being recognized as an important phenomenon from the traditional perspective. However, the role of sea‐ice algae in UIBs is still unknown due to the limited availability of continuous observations. We analyzed data on primary producer‐derived lipid biomarkers from sinking particles collected over 1 year using time‐series sediment traps on the East Siberian Sea and Chukchi Sea slopes. Based on the seasonal changes in sympagic organic carbon derived from the data of the ice proxy (IP25) flux and pelagic biomarkers, such as highly branched isoprenoid trienes, epi‐brassicasterol and dinosterol, a UIB was identified in summer 2018 on the East Siberian Sea slope. Compared to the nutrient distribution on the Chukchi Sea slope, the UIB on the East Siberian Sea slope might have been triggered by the nutrient supply. The estimated flux‐weighted mean sympagic organic carbon value measured during the UIB period (May−August) was 1.04 mg m−2 d−1 on the East Siberian Sea slope, approximately five times greater than recorded that on the Chukchi Sea slope (0.23 mg m−2 d−1) during the same period. Our findings suggest that the importance of sea‐ice algae as primary producers has increased as the UIB phenomenon has become more important in the Arctic Ocean and that sea‐ice environments face changes due to Arctic warming.

Algal Lipids as Modulators of Skin Disease: A Critical Review

The prevalence of inflammatory skin diseases continues to increase with a high incidence in children and adults. These diseases are triggered by environmental factors, such as UV radiation, certain chemical compounds, infectious agents, and in some cases, people with a genetic predisposition. The pathophysiology of inflammatory skin diseases such as psoriasis or atopic dermatitis, but also of skin cancers, is the result of the activation of inflammation-related metabolic pathways and the overproduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines observed in in vitro and in vivo studies. Inflammatory skin diseases are also associated with oxidative stress, overproduction of ROS, and impaired antioxidant defense, which affects the metabolism of immune cells and skin cells (keratinocytes and fibroblasts) in systemic and skin disorders. Lipids from algae have been scarcely applied to modulate skin diseases, but they are well known antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents. They have shown scavenging activities and can modulate redox homeostasis enzymes. They can also downmodulate key inflammatory signaling pathways and transcription factors such as NF-κB, decreasing the expression of pro-inflammatory mediators. Thus, the exploitation of algae lipids as therapeutical agents for the treatment of inflammatory skin diseases is highly attractive, being critically reviewed in the present work.