docosahexaenoic acid, DHA) and phycobiliproteins (phycocyanin). Antimicrobial
and antiviral applications are related to fatty acids, pigments, peptides, and
polyphenols.
Biocosmetics: Microalgae components are often used in cosmetics as
water-binding agents, texturizing agents, antioxidants providing dermal protection
as well as skin-whitening agents (Jahan et al. 2017; Stolz and Obermayer 2005;
Wang et al. 2015). Compounds such as sporopollenin, mycosporine-like amino
acids, and scytonemin protect against UV-A or UV-B radiation. Carotenoids are
also used as stabilizers in cosmetics and solar protection products. Phycocyanin, a
natural blue pigment, is extensively used in cosmetics, including lipsticks, eyeliners, nail polishes, and eye shadows. Red-phycoerythrin is used as an alternative for
synthetic pigments in creams or other cosmetics. Collagen-like proteins are included in creams and gels with high moisturizing action, but their other activities are
also known, including antiaging and antiwrinkling. Some polysaccharides, such as
chitin or fucoidan, have protective and moisturizing properties. Other polysaccharides, such as agar, carrageenan, and alginates, are used as stabilizers, thickeners,
and emulsifiers. Skin-whitening and antimicrobial agents are related mostly to
compounds synthetized by macroalgae; however, microalgae extracts have exhibited antimicrobial effects too (Martins et al. 2008). Based on patent landscape, this
sector is dominated by European countries and, specifically, by France (Chilton
et al. 2016).
Bionutrients: Microalgal biomass is a promising source of nutrients. Indeed,
both food and feed sectors have been quickly increasing in recent years to replace
animal protein. Nourishment is the fourth area of applications of microalgae
Fig. 1 Downstream processing in a biorefinery
5 Microalgae Biorefineries for Energy …
95
and antiviral applications are related to fatty acids, pigments, peptides, and
polyphenols.
Biocosmetics: Microalgae components are often used in cosmetics as
water-binding agents, texturizing agents, antioxidants providing dermal protection
as well as skin-whitening agents (Jahan et al. 2017; Stolz and Obermayer 2005;
Wang et al. 2015). Compounds such as sporopollenin, mycosporine-like amino
acids, and scytonemin protect against UV-A or UV-B radiation. Carotenoids are
also used as stabilizers in cosmetics and solar protection products. Phycocyanin, a
natural blue pigment, is extensively used in cosmetics, including lipsticks, eyeliners, nail polishes, and eye shadows. Red-phycoerythrin is used as an alternative for
synthetic pigments in creams or other cosmetics. Collagen-like proteins are included in creams and gels with high moisturizing action, but their other activities are
also known, including antiaging and antiwrinkling. Some polysaccharides, such as
chitin or fucoidan, have protective and moisturizing properties. Other polysaccharides, such as agar, carrageenan, and alginates, are used as stabilizers, thickeners,
and emulsifiers. Skin-whitening and antimicrobial agents are related mostly to
compounds synthetized by macroalgae; however, microalgae extracts have exhibited antimicrobial effects too (Martins et al. 2008). Based on patent landscape, this
sector is dominated by European countries and, specifically, by France (Chilton
et al. 2016).
Bionutrients: Microalgal biomass is a promising source of nutrients. Indeed,
both food and feed sectors have been quickly increasing in recent years to replace
animal protein. Nourishment is the fourth area of applications of microalgae
Fig. 1 Downstream processing in a biorefinery
5 Microalgae Biorefineries for Energy …
95