An Insight into the Potential Application of Microalgae in Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Production

Microalgal biomasses (MAB) is the most abundant source of various natural value-added biomolecules and bioactive compounds (BACs), therefore, considered as the best promising feedstock for the food and pharmaceutical industries. Microalgae-based BACs such as carotenoids, peptide molecules, phycocyanins, polyphenols, and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have significant application as functional ingredients in the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries. Due to the awareness of the consumers about the nutraceuticals in combating the occurrence of lifestyle and chronic diseases, the demands for the algal-based nutraceuticals have recently increased by several folds. Microalgae pigments, such as phycobiliproteins, chlorophylls, and carotenoids, have enormous possibilities for commercialization due to its therapeutic activities, which include antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, and anti-atherogenic activities. As per the estimates, the nutraceuticals market would cross about $278.96 billion by the end of 2021. Similarly, microalgae-based polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) such as eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA, docosahexaenoic acid, arachidonic acid, etc. are also an important commercial product, and its global market is around USD 9.0 billion/Year. This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of bioactive compounds of microalgae and its pharmaceutical and nutraceutical properties. Various strategies used for the profitable production of microalgae biomass and extraction of bioactive compounds from algal biomass are discussed in detail. The commercial potential of algae BACs, associated safety, and regulatory issues are also discussed.