Identification and characterization of the novel bioactive compounds from microalgae and cyanobacteria for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications

Abstract

Microalgae and cyanobacteria (blue‐green algae) are used as food by humans. They have gained a lot of attention in recent years because of their potential applications in biotechnology. Microalgae and cyanobacteria are good sources of many valuable compounds, including important biologically active compounds with antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, and anticancer activities. Under optimal growth condition and stress factors, algal biomass produce varieties of potential bioactive compounds. In the current review, bioactive compounds production and their remarkable applications such as pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications along with processes involved in identification and characterization of the novel bioactive compounds are discussed. Comprehensive knowledge about the exploration, extraction, screening, and trading of bioactive products from microalgae and cyanobacteria and their pharmaceutical and other applications will open up new avenues for drug discovery and bioprospecting.

Photoautotrophic microorganisms from mangroves: a review of the ecological role and bioproducts of commercial interest

“…Currently, in the context of health and disease prevention, photoautotrophic microorganisms are recognized as promising sources for obtaining new and safe natural substances with biomedical and pharmaceutical applications 107,108 . Bioactive compounds derived from microalgae and cyanobacteria are biomolecules with therapeutic actions, recognized for their potential benefits to human health 109 because they display antioxidant, anticancer, antimicrobial, anti‐inflammatory, antiviral, and antifungal action, in general 110,111 . These compounds comprise a diverse group of substances, such as carotenoids, polyphenols, phytosterols, organosulfur compounds, polysaccharides, peptides, and others 110 …”

“…Bioactive compounds derived from microalgae and cyanobacteria are biomolecules with therapeutic actions, recognized for their potential benefits to human health 109 because they display antioxidant, anticancer, antimicrobial, anti‐inflammatory, antiviral, and antifungal action, in general 110,111 . These compounds comprise a diverse group of substances, such as carotenoids, polyphenols, phytosterols, organosulfur compounds, polysaccharides, peptides, and others 110 …”

“…In summary, although microalgae are also considered potential sources of bioactive metabolites, cyanobacteria have stood out more in this regard 110 . This is made explicit when analyzing the number of papers on the topic using strains isolated from mangroves worldwide.…”

“…107,108 Bioactive compounds derived from microalgae and cyanobacteria are biomolecules with therapeutic actions, recognized for their potential benefits to human health 109 because they display antioxidant, anticancer, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antifungal action, in general. 110,111 These compounds comprise a diverse group of substances, such as carotenoids, polyphenols, phytosterols, organosulfur compounds, polysaccharides, peptides, and others. 110 The growing interest in using these microorganisms to obtain bioactive metabolites is mainly due to their capacity to biosynthesize, naturally, complex molecules that are difficult or even impossible to produce chemically.…”

“…110,111 These compounds comprise a diverse group of substances, such as carotenoids, polyphenols, phytosterols, organosulfur compounds, polysaccharides, peptides, and others. 110 The growing interest in using these microorganisms to obtain bioactive metabolites is mainly due to their capacity to biosynthesize, naturally, complex molecules that are difficult or even impossible to produce chemically. These substances are accumulated or excreted by the cells, usually at the end of the exponential phase and beginning of the stationary phase of growth, depending on several parameters such as temperature, pH, culture medium composition, and light intensity, for example.…”