Here is an article which I retrieved from the Oilgae newsletter archives. This article focuses on the importance of algae as a source of high-value end products.
Algae are a rich and varied source of pharmacologically active natural products and nutraceuticals. While nutraceutical and pharmaceutical content in the baseline algae strain is very small, current market values for these products are extremely high. The major products currently being commercialized or under consideration for commercial extraction include carotenoids, phycobilins, fatty acids, polysaccharides, vitamins, sterols, and biologically active molecules for use in human and animal health. The upcoming sections will bring into focus the use of algae as a potential source of pharmaceutical and nutraceutical ingredients.
Algae as a Source of Pharmaceuticals
Pharmaceutical industry is growing at a CAGR of around 8% while the global pharmaceutical market is forecasted to reach US$ 1043.4 billion in 2012.
Use of algae, especially the cyanobacteria (blue-green algae), for antibiotics and pharmacologically active compounds has received ever increasing interest. There are a range of pharmaceutical products derived from algae. Some of them include:
- Antimicrobials, Antivirals & Antifungals
-Neuroprotective Products
-Therapeutic proteins
-Drugs
1. Antimicrobials, Antivirals & Antifungals
Both microalgae and macroalgae exhibit antimicrobial activity which finds use in various pharmaceutical industries.
Role of Microalgae
o Microalgae, such as Ochromonas sp., Prymnesiumand a number of blue green algae produce toxins that may have potential pharmaceutical applications (Katircioglu et al, 2006)
o Various strains of cyanobacteria are known to produce intracellular and extracellular metabolites with diverse biological activities such as antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral activity (Naoman et al,2004)
o The biological activities of the algae may be attributed to the presence of volatile compounds, some phenols, free fatty acids and their oxidized derivatives (Zornitsa et al, 2009)
Role of macroalgae
+ There are numerous reports of macroalgae derived compounds that have a broad range of biological activities, such as antibiotic, antiviral, anti- neoplastic, antifouling, anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic and antimitotic (Naqvi et al., 1980)
+ In the past few decades, macroalgae have been widely recognised as producers of a broad range of bioactive metabolites (Caccamese et al., 1981)
+ Such antimicrobial properties enable macroalgae to be used as natural preservatives in the cosmetic industry.
+ The highest percentage of antimicrobial activity was found in Phaeophyceae (84%), followed by Rhodophyceae (67%) and Chlorophyceae (44%). (Noemi et al, 2007)
+ Red and brown macroalgae extracts show significant potential as anti-pathogenic agents for use in fish aquaculture. (Wefky et al, 2008)
http://bit.ly/9ePcFb
2. Neuroprotective Products
Both microalgae and macroalgae are neuroprotective agents and promote nerve cell survival.
Role of microalgae
Among the various microalgal species, Spirulina is most commonly referred as a neuroprotective agent
+ Spirulina platensis may be useful in the development of novel treatments for neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer