1. Unconventional high-value products from microalgae: A review
- Author
-
Said Abu-Ghosh, David Iluz, Vitor Verdelho, and Zvy Dubinsky
- Subjects
0106 biological sciences ,Environmental Engineering ,Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment ,Multiple applications ,Bioengineering ,General Medicine ,Biodiversity ,010501 environmental sciences ,01 natural sciences ,Synthetic biology ,Goods and services ,010608 biotechnology ,Microalgae ,High value products ,Engineering tool ,Biochemical engineering ,Business ,Genetic Engineering ,Waste Management and Disposal ,0105 earth and related environmental sciences ,Biotechnology - Abstract
Microalgae have gained significant importance in biotechnology development, providing valuable goods and services in multiple applications. Although there is a rising market for most of these applications, the incorporation and introduction of microalgae into new venues will extend in the near future. These advances are due to the vast biodiversity of microalgal species, recent genetic engineering tools, and culture techniques. There are three main possible approaches for novel algal compounds from: (1) recently isolated yet less known microalgae; (2) selectively stressed conditions; and (3) enzymatically adjusted compounds from conventional molecules. All these approaches can be combined in a specific manner. This review discusses the opportunities, potential and limitations of introducing novel microalgae-based products, and how the recent technologies can be deployed to make these products financially viable. To give an outlook to the future, an analysis of the developments and predicted future market that further enlarge the promise of cultivating microalgae for commercial purposes are considered.
- Published
- 2021