With the increasing global population, gradual depletion of fossil fuels, and intensification of environmental pollution, it’s necessary to find a sustainable, safe, and pollution-free substitute for food and energy production. Out of all the new sustainable food and energy sources, biomass is growing as a popular renewable source of food and energy due to its several benefits, including zero carbon dioxide emissions, low pollution, and high yield. Among these, algae have attracted growing attention as a significant source of renewable biomass. Algae are efficient at fixing carbon dioxide (CO₂) or other carbon substances and converting them into biomass and sustainable valuable bioproducts e.g., protein, carbohydrate, lipid, carotenoid, and phenolic compounds. Their worldwide distribution, robust environmental adaptation, short life cycles, and high photosynthetic efficiency make them promising feedstock for various applications in food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. In the last few years, there has been increased interest in developing commercially viable high-value compounds from both micro and macro-algae.
This special collection focuses on, but not limited to, the publications of Original Research and Review articles on the biorefinery and cultivation process of algae and the utilization of algal biomass for high-value-added products, which mainly include;
- Polysaccharides: Polysaccharides present in algal biomass can be processed and utilized as biopolymers, prebiotics, plant bio-stimulants, and thickening/ lubrication agents. The monosaccharides e.g., glucose, fucose, galactose, mannose, xylose, etc., can be also extracted from polysaccharides and have potential applications in the food and biomedical industry.
- Phlorotannins: A type of tannins found only in brown algae. They have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral properties.
- Lipids: These are one of the primary products extracted from algae. They are used in the production of biodiesel and other biofuels. Various biofuels such as bioethanol, biodiesel, crude oil, pyrolytic bio-oil, biomethane, biohydrogen, and bio-jet fuel.
- Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs): These are essential fatty acids that the body can’t make, the omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids such as Arachidonic acid (ARA), Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). They’re used in various health supplements.
- Proteins and peptides: Including phycobiliproteins, photosystem proteins, human therapeutic proteins from transgenic algae, etc.
- Terpenoids: A large and diverse class of naturally occurring organic chemicals derived from terpenes. They have various biological activities and are used in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.
- Pigments: Algae produce pigments like chlorophylls and a wide range of carotenoids which have applications in the food, feed, and cosmeceutical industries.
- Vitamins and Nutraceuticals: Some algal species contain high levels of different water and lipid-soluble vitamins, including vitamins A, B-complex, C, D2, D3, E, and K.
