Microalgae (including the cyanobacteria) are established commercial sources of high-value chemicals such as β-carotene, astaxanthin, docosahexaenoic acid, eicosahexaenoic acid, phycobilin pigments and algal extracts for use in cosmetics. Microalgae are also increasingly playing a role in cosmaceuticals, nutraceuticals and functional foods. In the last few years, there has been renewed interest in microalgae as commercial sources of these and other high-value compounds, driven in part by the attempts to develop commercially viable biofuels from microalgae. This paper briefly reviews the main existing and potential high-value products which can be derived from microalgae and considers their commercial development with a particular focus on the various aspects which need to be considered on the path to commercialisation, using the experience gained in the commercialisation of existing algae products. These considerations include the existing and potential market size and market characteristics of the product, competition by chemically synthesised products or by ‘natural’ compounds from other organisms such as fungi, bacteria, higher plants, etc., product quality requirements and assurance, and the legal and regulatory environment.

High-value products from microalgae—their development and commercialisation

Microalgae have recently attracted considerable interest worldwide, due to their extensive application potential in the renewable energy, biopharmaceutical, and nutraceutical industries. Microalgae are renewable, sustainable, and economical sources of biofuels, bioactive medicinal products, and food ingredients. Several microalgae species have been investigated for their potential as value-added products with remarkable pharmacological and biological qualities. As biofuels, they are a perfect substitute to liquid fossil fuels with respect to cost, renewability, and environmental concerns. Microalgae have a significant ability to convert atmospheric CO2 to useful products such as carbohydrates, lipids, and other bioactive metabolites. Although microalgae are feasible sources for bioenergy and biopharmaceuticals in general, some limitations and challenges remain, which must be overcome to upgrade the technology from pilot-phase to industrial level. The most challenging and crucial issues are enhancing microalgae growth rate and product synthesis, dewatering algae culture for biomass production, pretreating biomass, and optimizing the fermentation process in case of algal bioethanol production. The present review describes the advantages of microalgae for the production of biofuels and various bioactive compounds and discusses culturing parameters.

https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1186/s12934-018-0879-x.pdf

The promising future of microalgae: current status, challenges, and optimization of a sustainable and renewable industry for biofuels, feed, and other products

Microalgae biorefinery: High value products perspectives.

Economic and technical problems related to the reduction of petroleum resources require the valorisation of renewable raw material Recently, microalgae emerged as promising alternative feedstock that represents an enormous biodiversity with multiple benefits exceeding the potential of conventional agricultural feedstock Thus, this comprehensive review article spots the light on one of the most interesting microalga Chlorella vulgaris It assembles the history and a thorough description of its ultrastructure and composition according to growth conditions The harvesting techniques are presented in relation to the novel algo-refinery concept, with their technological advancements and potential applications in the market

/pdf/morphology-composition-production-processing-and-5458j8vfab.pdf

Morphology, composition, production, processing and applications of Chlorella vulgaris: A review

Microalgae for high-value compounds and biofuels production: a review with focus on cultivation under stress conditions.

Microalgae are one of the most promising sources for new food and functional food products, and can be used to enhance the nutritional value of foods, due to their well-balanced chemical composition. Knowing their physicochemical characteristics is fundamental for the selection of the most suitable microalgae to specific food technology applications and consequently successful novel foods development. The aim of this study is to screen the chemical composition (e.g., proteins, pigments, fatty acids) and thermogravimetry properties of five microalgae species with potential application in the food industry: Chlorella vulgaris (green and carotenogenic), Haematococcus pluvialis (carotenogenic), Spirulina maxima, Diacronema vlkianum and Isochrysis galbana. C. green and S. maxima presented high protein (38% and 44%, respectively), low fat content (5% and 4%, respectively). The carotenogenic C. vulgaris and H. pluvialis showed a higher carotenoid content, higher fat, low protein and better resistance to thermal treatment. D. vlkianum and I. galbana presented high protein (38–40%) and fat (18–24%) contents with PUFA's ω3, mainly EPA and DHA. Finally, the results from microalgae chemical and thermal analysis were grouped and correlated through Principal Components Analysis (PCA) in order to determine which variables better define and differentiate them.

/pdf/comparison-of-microalgal-biomass-profiles-as-novel-1ln3f8dlti.pdf

Comparison of microalgal biomass profiles as novel functional ingredient for food products

A biorefinery from Nannochloropsis sp. microalga – Extraction of oils and pigments. Production of biohydrogen from the leftover biomass

Microalgae in novel food products

BACKGROUND: Microalgae are able to enhance the nutritional content of conventional foods and hence to positively affect human health, due to their original chemical composition. The aim of the present study was to prepare fresh spaghetti enriched with different amounts of microalgae biomass (Chlorella vulgaris and Spirulina maxima) and to compare the quality parameters (optimal cooking time, cooking losses, swelling index and water absorption), chemical composition, instrumental texture and colour of the raw and cooked pasta enriched with microalgae biomass with standard semolina spaghetti.



RESULTS: The incorporation of microalgae results in an increase of quality parameters when compared to the control sample. The colour of microalgae pastas remained relatively stable after cooking. The addition of microalgae resulted in an increase in the raw pasta firmness when compared to the control sample. Of all the microalgae studied, an increase in the biomass concentration (0.5–2.0%) resulted in a general tendency of an increase in the pasta firmness. Sensory analysis revealed that microalgae pastas had higher acceptance scores by the panellists than the control pasta.



CONCLUSION: Microalgae pastas presented very appellative colours, such as orange and green, similar to pastas produced with vegetables, with nutritional advantages, showing energetic values similar to commercial pastas. The use of microalgae biomass can enhance the nutritional and sensorial quality of pasta, without affecting its cooking and textural properties. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry

Ana Paula Batista

Papers

Comparison of microalgal biomass profiles as novel functional ingredient for food products

A biorefinery from Nannochloropsis sp. microalga – Extraction of oils and pigments. Production of biohydrogen from the leftover biomass

Microalgae in novel food products

Incorporation of Chlorella vulgaris and Spirulina maxima biomass in pasta products. Part 1: Preparation and evaluation.

Combining urban wastewater treatment with biohydrogen production – An integrated microalgae-based approach