Advanced Applications for Protein and Compounds from Microalgae

Abstract

Algal species still show unrevealed and unexplored potentiality for the identification of new compounds. Photosynthetic organisms represent a valuable resource to exploit and sustain the urgent need of sustainable and green technologies. Particularly, unconventional organisms from extreme environments could hide properties to be employed in a wide range of biotechnology applications, due to their peculiar alleles, proteins, and molecules. In this review we report a detailed dissection about the latest and advanced applications of protein derived from algae. Furthermore, the innovative use of modified algae as bio-reactors to generate proteins or bioactive compounds was discussed. The latest progress about pharmaceutical applications, including the possibility to obtain drugs to counteract virus (as SARS-CoV-2) were also examined. The last paragraph will survey recent cases of the utilization of extremophiles as bio-factories for specific protein and molecule production.

Photosynthetic, Molecular and Ultrastructural Characterization of Toxic Effects of Zinc in Caulerpa racemosa Indicate Promising Bioremediation Potentiality

“…Different groups of marine macro- and microorganisms were investigated as potential resources for bioremediation, namely cyanobacteria, diatoms, microalgae (e.g., Chlorella sp., Chlamydomonas sp.) and macroalgae (e.g., Laminaria japonica , Ulva lactuca ) [ 9 , 39 , 40 , 41 ]. These organisms show the efficient uptake of heavy metals from polluted waters and have thus received considerable research attention due their wide range of applications [ 42 ].…”

“…have been identified as able to produce a wide range of natural bio-products, exhibiting important medical and nutraceutical benefits [ 8 ]. In recent years, the production of bio-compounds useful for nutraceutical, pharmaceutical and cosmetic purposes by marine organisms has raised wide economic interest [ 9 ]. In particular, Caulerpa is able to synthesize interesting metabolites, such as caulerpin, sulfated polysaccharides, racemosin, glucans and lipids, which are highly desirable in biotechnology applications [ 3 , 8 , 10 , 11 ].…”

Current Status of Biological Biogas Upgrading Technologies

“…Algal biomass can be utilized as feedstock for anaerobic digestion [95], as food and several valuable algal components (e.g. the oil or the carbohydrate content) are attracting special attention nowadays [96][97][98].…”

Functional proteins through green refining of seafood side streams

“…A successful microalgae based bio-refinery for seafood waste bioconversion can promote zero-waste based circular bio-economy ( 126 , 177 , 178 ). In addition, the recovery of proteins through algal bio-refinery and other ingredients is attractive from the perspective of food security and sustainability and also reduce environmental problems ( 179 ). Studies have shown that shell biorefinery can be economically and environmentally viable for the valorization of shell waste at a price of UD$ 0.15 per kg ( 118 ).…”