The rapid increase in the global population has diverted our dependency of food, feed, fuel, and chemicals from terrestrial-based sources to marine-based bioresources. Marine algae including micro and macroalgae are emerging as a source of multiple bioproducts with novel industrial applications. The algae are a group of diverse photosynthetic organisms rich in bioactive components such as polysaccharides, lipids, proteins, pigments, vitamins, and minerals. Marine algae have ability to withstand different environmental conditions with no fresh water and aerable land requirements, making them a next-generation bioresources for bioproducts.
The algal biomass production through sea farming and land-based cultivation has increased as these bioactive products have potential applications in nutraceuticals, cosmeceutical and food sectors. Further, the advancements in genetic engineering of algae (mainly microalgae) for their lipids, proteins, and pigments have strengthened the probability of industrial applications in the near future. Recently, the concept of sequential extraction of multiple value-added products through a biorefinery approach has attracted entrepreneurs to establish an economical circular model for algal-based industries under the theme of the ocean-based blue economy. Therefore, in this special issue we aim to invite original research and review articles under the following subsections:
1. Algal metabolites for nutraceutical and cosmeceutical applications
2. Algal derived protein as a source of food and feed
3. Algal biorefinery for circular bioeconomy
4. Genetic engineering of microalgae for lipid, protein, and pigments
The rapid increase in the global population has diverted our dependency of food, feed, fuel, and chemicals from terrestrial-based sources to marine-based bioresources. Marine algae including micro and macroalgae are emerging as a source of multiple bioproducts with novel industrial applications. The algae are a group of diverse photosynthetic organisms rich in bioactive components such as polysaccharides, lipids, proteins, pigments, vitamins, and minerals. Marine algae have ability to withstand different environmental conditions with no fresh water and aerable land requirements, making them a next-generation bioresources for bioproducts.
The algal biomass production through sea farming and land-based cultivation has increased as these bioactive products have potential applications in nutraceuticals, cosmeceutical and food sectors. Further, the advancements in genetic engineering of algae (mainly microalgae) for their lipids, proteins, and pigments have strengthened the probability of industrial applications in the near future. Recently, the concept of sequential extraction of multiple value-added products through a biorefinery approach has attracted entrepreneurs to establish an economical circular model for algal-based industries under the theme of the ocean-based blue economy. Therefore, in this special issue we aim to invite original research and review articles under the following subsections:
1. Algal metabolites for nutraceutical and cosmeceutical applications
2. Algal derived protein as a source of food and feed
3. Algal biorefinery for circular bioeconomy
4. Genetic engineering of microalgae for lipid, protein, and pigments