still use the same classic solvent extraction technique despite having limitations like
denaturation of the extracted compound and use of large amount of solvent for
extraction. Gradually, some economical green extraction techniques should be
developed for use at industrial scale to overcome the aforementioned problems.
Secondly, very less algal products are being commercialized, and thus, attention
should be given to the development of newer products associated with other
industries as well. And lastly, new regulations should be established by the countries
to regulate the use of algal extracts as pharmaceuticals, food, or biostimulants.
5 Conclusion
In the present chapter, the importance of algae as a multiple source of bioactive
compounds has been reported. Microalgae have the capacity to produce unusual
natural bioactive compounds with remarkable biological properties. The compounds
like fucoxanthin, astaxanthin, polyunsaturated fatty acids, proteins, glycolipid, and
polysaccharides have been successfully used to treat diseases like cancer, malaria,
Alzheimer’s, TB, and many others. Despite having many advantages, very limited
species of microalgae have been studied till date. Thus, newer species of microalgae
can be explored for novel compounds with enhanced activity exhibiting a prolific
approach in the area of biotechnology and biomedical applications.
References
1. Khan RA (2018) Natural products chemistry: the emerging trends and prospective goals. Saudi
Pharm J 26(5):739–753
Table 6 Antioxidant properties of compounds extracted from microalgae
Compound/
fractional extract
Chemistry
Source
Reference
Fucoidan
Fucose-rich sulfated hetero
polysaccharide
S. polycystum
Palanisamy
et al. [81]
Ethanol extract
Carotenoids, polyphenols,
and PUFA
Dunaliella sp.,
Tetraselmis sp., and
Nannochloropsis gaditana
Maadane
et al. [94]
Fucoidan
Sulfated polysaccharide
Chnoospora minima
Fernando
et al. [95]
Water/ethanol
extract
Phenols
Bifurcaria bifurcata
Agregán
et al. [96]
Methanol extracts Phenols
Desmodesmus sp.
Safafar et al.
[97]
Applications and Efficacy of Exceptional Bioactive Compounds from Microalgae
171
denaturation of the extracted compound and use of large amount of solvent for
extraction. Gradually, some economical green extraction techniques should be
developed for use at industrial scale to overcome the aforementioned problems.
Secondly, very less algal products are being commercialized, and thus, attention
should be given to the development of newer products associated with other
industries as well. And lastly, new regulations should be established by the countries
to regulate the use of algal extracts as pharmaceuticals, food, or biostimulants.
5 Conclusion
In the present chapter, the importance of algae as a multiple source of bioactive
compounds has been reported. Microalgae have the capacity to produce unusual
natural bioactive compounds with remarkable biological properties. The compounds
like fucoxanthin, astaxanthin, polyunsaturated fatty acids, proteins, glycolipid, and
polysaccharides have been successfully used to treat diseases like cancer, malaria,
Alzheimer’s, TB, and many others. Despite having many advantages, very limited
species of microalgae have been studied till date. Thus, newer species of microalgae
can be explored for novel compounds with enhanced activity exhibiting a prolific
approach in the area of biotechnology and biomedical applications.
References
1. Khan RA (2018) Natural products chemistry: the emerging trends and prospective goals. Saudi
Pharm J 26(5):739–753
Table 6 Antioxidant properties of compounds extracted from microalgae
Compound/
fractional extract
Chemistry
Source
Reference
Fucoidan
Fucose-rich sulfated hetero
polysaccharide
S. polycystum
Palanisamy
et al. [81]
Ethanol extract
Carotenoids, polyphenols,
and PUFA
Dunaliella sp.,
Tetraselmis sp., and
Nannochloropsis gaditana
Maadane
et al. [94]
Fucoidan
Sulfated polysaccharide
Chnoospora minima
Fernando
et al. [95]
Water/ethanol
extract
Phenols
Bifurcaria bifurcata
Agregán
et al. [96]
Methanol extracts Phenols
Desmodesmus sp.
Safafar et al.
[97]
Applications and Efficacy of Exceptional Bioactive Compounds from Microalgae
171