Table 5 Use of microalgae products and their specific applications in various health sectors
From: Emerging prospects of macro- and microalgae as prebiotic
Category | Microalgae used | Products | Nutrient source/Health effects |
|---|---|---|---|
Nutraceutics | Spirulina, Nannochloropsis, Dunaliella, Schizochytrium etc | Fatty acids and sterols, fibres, carbohydrates (EPA, DHA, GLA, SDA, Poriferasterol, Clinosterols, agar, alginates etc.) Carotenoids (β-carotene, astaxanthin, lutein, fucoxanthin etc.) Protein and amino acids (Single Cell Protein-spirulina, phycocyanin) Vitamins and minerals | High Saturated/unsaturated fatty acids, high fibers, high carbohydrates for nutrition Antioxidative effects Enriched with essential amino acids and good protein source Source of high vitamins (A, B2, B6, B8, B12, E, K), high minerals (Fe & Ca) |
Therapeutics and/or Pharmaceutics | Genetically modified microalgae strain such as C. reinhardtii, Schizochytrium, Spirulina, Chlorococcum, Haematococcus, Chlorella etc | Specific microalgal extract, lotions (enriching either bioactive compounds, Tyrosine inhibitors or hydrolytic enzymes, Phytases, etc.) | Reducing blood cholesterol, antiallergic activity, decreasing blood sugar, antianemia effect, reducing heart attacks, antitumor activity, antiviral activity, reducing hypertension, reducing hyperlipidemia, improving immunity, stress reducing action, protecting from harmful chemicals, anti-inflammatory and antioxidative activities against neurodegenerative disorders, atherosclerosis disorders, T2DM, Cancer etc |
Cosmeceutics | Spirulina, Haematococcus, Dunaliella, Chlorella etc | Moisturizers and lotions: Antiaging and UV-protection Polysaccharides Antioxidant enzymes Microsporin like amino acid Skin whitening and haircare | Poly unsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) Carotenoids (astaxanthin, fucoxanthin) Fucoidan, alginates, galactans, agar, ulvans etc Superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidases, and glutathione Fucoxanthin, microalgal extract |