Marine microalgae are regarded as potential feedstock because of their multiple valuable compounds, including lipids, pigments, carbohydrates, and proteins. Some of these compounds exhibit attractive bioactivities, such as carotenoids, ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, polysaccharides, and peptides. However, the production cost of bioactive compounds is quite high, due to the low contents in marine microalgae. Comprehensive utilization of marine microalgae for multiple compounds production instead of the sole product can be an efficient way to increase the economic feasibility of bioactive compounds production and improve the production efficiency. This paper discusses the metabolic network of marine microalgal compounds, and indicates their interaction in biosynthesis pathways. Furthermore, potential applications of co-production of multiple compounds under various cultivation conditions by shifting metabolic flux are discussed, and cultivation strategies based on environmental and/or nutrient conditions are proposed to improve the co-production. Moreover, biorefinery techniques for the integral use of microalgal biomass are summarized. These techniques include the co-extraction of multiple bioactive compounds from marine microalgae by conventional methods, super/subcritical fluids, and ionic liquids, as well as direct utilization and biochemical or thermochemical conversion of microalgal residues. Overall, this review sheds light on the potential of the comprehensive utilization of marine microalgae for improving bioeconomy in practical industrial application.
Marine microalgae has great potential for lutein production with the advantage of saving fresh water resource. Thus, marine microalga Chlamydomonas sp. JSC4 is investigated as a potential lutein producer in this study. The medium types, nitrate‐N and sea salt concentration are individually investigated to promote the cell growth rate and lutein production of JSC4. In Modified Bold Basal 3N medium, cell growth and lutein content are optimal at the nitrate‐N concentration of 1000 mg L−1 and sea salt concentration of 2%. In addition, an innovative salinity‐gradient strategy is operated to dramatically enhance biomass productivity (560 mg/L/d) and lutein content (3.42 mg g−1), resulting in the optimal lutein productivity (1.92 mg/L/d). Overall, this study clearly demonstrates that salinity is a significant inducer of lutein accumulation by strain JSC4 and that lutein production can be successfully optimized using the salinity‐gradient strategy, which is beneficial for the outdoor large‐scale lutein production in the future.
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