Enigmatic Microalgae from Aeroterrestrial and Extreme Habitats in Cosmetics: The Potential of the Untapped Natural Sources

Abstract

With the increasing demand for natural and safe products in cosmetics, algae with their diverse and valuable bioactive compounds are gaining vital importance. Until now, cosmetics have focused mainly on the use of freshwater and marine algae. However, algae are not restricted to aquatic habitats. They are found in essentially every type of aeroterrestrial and extreme environment on the Earth. There, they have to cope with harsh ecological conditions and have developed special strategies to thrive in these inimical habitats. Although not thoroughly studied, their adaptations include protective biochemical compounds which can find their application or are already used in the field of cosmetics. With proper cultivation techniques, algae from these habitats can provide novel sources of high-value functional products for the cosmetics industry, which have the advantage of being obtained in eco-friendly and cost-effective processes. However, it has to be considered that a few aeroterrestrial and extremophilic algae can be toxin producers, and in order to ensure conformity to the safe quality standards, all new ingredients must be properly tested. The aim of the present review is to unveil the hidden and underestimated potential of the enigmatic algae of aeroterrestrial and extreme habitats for the rapidly developing modern cosmetic industries.

Algal Toxic Compounds and Their Aeroterrestrial, Airborne and other Extremophilic Producers with Attention to Soil and Plant Contamination: A Review

“…The ubiquity of soil and aerophytic algae explains their importance for wide-human exposure [ 126 ]. Therefore, the interest in aeroterrestrial algae and their potential toxicity is increasing due to increasing safe requirements and new eco-friendly processes, related with the application of algae as soil conditioners [ 214 ] and in different cosmetic products [ 24 ].…”

“…Due to their great prophylactic and therapeutic potential, nowadays, thermal springs gain increasing popularity as “sanitas per aquam” (SPA) resorts. The financial value of hot springs long has been evaluated by the ability to attract tourists or to generate thermal energy [ 406 ], but currently, the biotechnological interest in their inhabitants is increasing together with the increasing safety requirements [ 24 ]. The studies cited above showed that despite inimical for many organisms, the hot springs can be suitable environment for the growth of toxigenic species and that in some cases toxin levels can exceed the health limits, which inevitably demonstrated the need for screening and monitoring of these extreme habitats.…”

“…In contrast to the prior view that they are almost sterile, these places are actively inhabited by organisms named cryophiles (or psychrophiles) and contribute significantly to global organic carbon [ 4 , 13 , 430 ]. Many algae are distributed across a variety of cold environments and have to thrive and cope not only with low temperatures but also with the strong insolation perturbated with UV, osmotic stress, dryness from the wind, as well as with a poverty of nutrients and liquid water [ 13 , 24 , 104 , 431 , 432 ].…”

“…Currently, the aeroterrestrial algae, extremophiles and polyextremophiles from all unusual and inhospitable for humankind places attract the attention of scientists in a raising way. Although all strategies to survive in harsh environments are not fully clarified, it is widely accepted that their inhabitants have developed a variety of coping mechanisms, many biomolecules and peculiar biochemical pathways, the interest to which is constantly growing not only in respect to ecology and astrobiology but also for innovative needs of biotechnology, medicine, pharmacy and cosmetics, and all related economical activities including tourism [ 5 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 14 , 23 , 24 ].…”

Lipids from Microalgae for Cosmetic Applications

“…One of the current challenges is finding natural ingredients to achieve customers' requests more and more often oriented by increased awareness about the importance to use quality products and environmentally sustainable [43]. Marine sources and specifically algae represent valid alternatives of new raw materials [34,[44][45][46]. Currently, macroalgae-based cosmetic products are present on the market and they are progressively substituting synthetic equivalent products.…”