Microalgal biotechnology applied in biomedicine

Abstract Microalgae are photosynthetic organisms, prokaryotes or eukaryotes, responsible for the greater part of the production of atmospheric oxygen. The biomass of these microorganisms presents diverse applicability due to their composition, which can be rich in carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, vitamins, pigments, and phenolic compounds. The variability of the cultivation conditions in which the microalgae can be submitted promotes differences in its biochemical composition, and its use can be destined for several applications. The microalgal biomass can be applied in the biomedicine field, due to its beneficial health properties as its nutraceutical, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and anti-tumor potential. Moreover, promising effects have been found in treatments for suppression of blood hypertension, protection against renal failure, and attenuation of blood glucose values. In this context, this chapter addresses the bioactive compound constituents in microalgae, as well as their characteristics and applications in the biomedical field, elucidating recent studies and future perspectives.