Chapter 36: Biomedical applications of algal-based products
Teoh, Ming-Li; Choo, Wu-Thong; Leong, Hazel Jing-Yi; Convey, Peter 
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8497-9903.
2024
Chapter 36: Biomedical applications of algal-based products.
In: Jacob-Lopes, Eduardo; Zepka, Leila Queiroz; Depra, Mariany Costa, (eds.)
Algal Bioreactors. Volume 1 - Science, Engineering and Technology of Downstream Processes.
London, Woodhead Publishing, Elsevier, 567-579.
(Woodhead series in bioenergy).
Abstract/Summary
Addressing the ever-increasing challenge of diseases is a never-ending struggle for humankind. While many therapeutic drugs are known, the rate of discovery or, alternatively, adoption into the clinical market, has significantly declined in recent years (Ahirwar et al., 2022). Furthermore, while generally effective treatment options are available for most diseases, problems can arise in prolonged administration (Kiriiri et al., 2020). Studies of products derived from natural sources have specifically aimed to address the negative side effects of many drugs. Many plants and microbes produce diverse and potentially highly valuable and medically significant metabolites. Aquatic environments, in particular, host diverse biological resources that are yet to be tested for their contribution to combating major human diseases (Ahirwar et al., 2022). Microalgae are a group of photosynthetic microorganisms that may be found in both marine and freshwater ecosystems. They include a wide range of species that thrive in various habitats, some of which face multiple environmental stressors such as high and low temperatures, light intensity, salinity and pH (Saide et al., 2021). They commonly have rapid growth rates and require little maintenance during cultivation (Dolganyuk et al., 2020; Udayan et al., 2022). Approximately 200,000 different species of microalgae are thought to exist. The Cyanophyceae (blue-green algae), Chlorophyceae (green algae), Bacillariophyceae (diatoms), and Chrysophyceae (golden algae) are the most well-known and possibly most ecologically significant group as of microalgae (Wang et al., 2021), although other classes including Eutomatophyceae, Prymnesiophyceae and Euglenophyceae are also present (Villarruel-Lopez et al., 2017). The clinical importance of microalgal-derived products and, in particular, their ability to neutralize free radicals cannot be overstated. One of the key mechanisms underlying the light-protective, antiinflammatory, rejuvenating and anticarcinogenic properties of microalgal carotenoids is their capacity to quench free radicals, in particular reactive oxygen species (Oleskin and Boyang, 2022). Although microalgae have received increasing research attention and application in recent years, they are yet to come into widespread use (Yaacob et al., 2022). Algae are also a rich source of metabolites that have high nutritional value and positive effects on health. Invaluable bioactive compounds derived from microalgae, including polysaccharides, amino acids, fatty acids, pigments, enzymes, minerals and vitamins have received attention in the biotechnological sector in to the context of biomedical applications due to their antifungal, antibacterial, antiinflammatory, antiviral, antidiabetic, anticancer, and neuroprotective properties (Dolganyuk et al., 2020; Khavari et al., 2021; Oleskin and Boyang, 2022; Saide et al., 2021). In this chapter we explore bioactive microalgal metabolites in the context of their potential use in biomedical applications.
| Item Type: | Publication - Book Section |
|---|---|
| ISBN: | 9780443140587 |
| Date made live: | 28 Nov 2024 10:02 +0 (UTC) |
| URI: | https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/535525 |
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