Abstract
Through the photosynthetic activity, microalgae process more than 25% of annual inorganic carbon dissolved in oceans into carbohydrates that ultimately, serve to feed the other levels of the trophic networks. Besides, microalgae synthesize bioactive molecules such as pigments and lipids that exhibit health properties. In addition, abiotic stresses, such as high irradiance, nutrient starvation, UV irradiation, trigger metabolic reorientations ending with the production of other bioactive compounds such as ω-3 fatty acids or carotenoids. Traditionally, these compounds are acquired through the dietary alimentation. The increasing, and often unsatisfied, demand for compounds from natural sources, combined with the decrease of the halieutic resources, forces the search for alternative resources for these bioactive components. Microalgae possess this strong potential. For instance, the diatom Odontella aurita is already commercialized as dietary complement and compete with fish oil for human nutrition. In this contribution, the microalga world is briefly presented. Then, the different types of biologically active molecules identified in microalgae are presented together with their potential use. Due to space limitation, only the biological activities of lipids and pigments are described in details. The contribution ends with a description of the possibilities to play with the environmental constrains to increase the productivity of biologically active molecules by microalgae and by a description of the progresses made in the field of alga culturing.
Keywords: Bioactive compound, alga, pigment, lipid, health benefit, abiotic stress, metabolic reorientation, diatom, photosynthetic activity, carbohydrates
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology
Title:The Potential of Microalgae for the Production of Bioactive Molecules of Pharmaceutical Interest
Volume: 13 Issue: 15
Author(s): Virginie Mimouni, Lionel Ulmann, Virginie Pasquet, Marie Mathieu, Laurent Picot, Gael Bougaran, Jean-Paul Cadoret, Annick Morant-Manceau and Benoit Schoefs
Affiliation:
Keywords: Bioactive compound, alga, pigment, lipid, health benefit, abiotic stress, metabolic reorientation, diatom, photosynthetic activity, carbohydrates
Abstract: Through the photosynthetic activity, microalgae process more than 25% of annual inorganic carbon dissolved in oceans into carbohydrates that ultimately, serve to feed the other levels of the trophic networks. Besides, microalgae synthesize bioactive molecules such as pigments and lipids that exhibit health properties. In addition, abiotic stresses, such as high irradiance, nutrient starvation, UV irradiation, trigger metabolic reorientations ending with the production of other bioactive compounds such as ω-3 fatty acids or carotenoids. Traditionally, these compounds are acquired through the dietary alimentation. The increasing, and often unsatisfied, demand for compounds from natural sources, combined with the decrease of the halieutic resources, forces the search for alternative resources for these bioactive components. Microalgae possess this strong potential. For instance, the diatom Odontella aurita is already commercialized as dietary complement and compete with fish oil for human nutrition. In this contribution, the microalga world is briefly presented. Then, the different types of biologically active molecules identified in microalgae are presented together with their potential use. Due to space limitation, only the biological activities of lipids and pigments are described in details. The contribution ends with a description of the possibilities to play with the environmental constrains to increase the productivity of biologically active molecules by microalgae and by a description of the progresses made in the field of alga culturing.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Mimouni Virginie, Ulmann Lionel, Pasquet Virginie, Mathieu Marie, Picot Laurent, Bougaran Gael, Cadoret Jean-Paul, Morant-Manceau Annick and Schoefs Benoit, The Potential of Microalgae for the Production of Bioactive Molecules of Pharmaceutical Interest, Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology 2012; 13 (15) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138920112804724828
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138920112804724828 |
Print ISSN 1389-2010 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-4316 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Artificial Intelligence in Bioinformatics
Bioinformatics is an interdisciplinary field that analyzes and explores biological data. This field combines biology and information system. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has attracted great attention as it tries to replicate human intelligence. It has become common technology for analyzing and solving complex data and problems and encompasses sub-fields of machine ...read more
Latest Advancements in Biotherapeutics
The scope of this thematic issue is to comprehensively explore the rapidly evolving landscape of biotherapeutics, emphasizing breakthroughs in precision medicine. Encompassing diverse therapeutic modalities, the issue will delve into the latest developments in monoclonal antibodies, CRISPR/Cas gene editing, CAR-T cell therapies, and innovative drug delivery systems, such as nanoparticle-based ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
Related Articles
-
Autophagy as a Potential Therapeutic Target in Breast Cancer Treatment
Current Cancer Drug Targets Anticancer Antioxidant Regulatory Functions of Phytochemicals
Current Medicinal Chemistry Is the Use of Proton-pump Inhibitors a Risk Factor for Alzheimer’s Disease? Molecular Mechanisms and Clinical Implications
Current Medicinal Chemistry Vascular Endothelin and Hypertension - From Receptors to Medicine
Current Hypertension Reviews Mechanisms of Protective Effects of SGLT2 Inhibitors in Cardiovascular Disease and Renal Dysfunction
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Functional Foods: Salient Features and Clinical Applications
Current Drug Targets - Immune, Endocrine & Metabolic Disorders Antineoplastic Chemotherapy Induced QTc Prolongation
Current Drug Safety Autoimmune Hepatitis: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis and Pharmacological Therapy
Current Immunology Reviews (Discontinued) Cardiovascular Effects of Methotrexate in Rheumatoid Arthritis Revisited
Current Medicinal Chemistry The Brain, the Penis and Steroid Hormones: Clinical Correlates with Endothelial Dysfunction
Current Pharmaceutical Design Vitamin, Mineral, and Drug Absorption Following Bariatric Surgery
Current Drug Metabolism Epidemiology of Ischemic Heart Disease and Diabetes in South Asia: An Overview of the Twin Epidemic
Current Diabetes Reviews Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Repurposing Opportunities for Cognition and Biobehavioral Disturbances in MCI and Dementia
Current Alzheimer Research Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte Ratio and Platelet-to-lymphocyte Ratio as Biomarkers for Cardiovascular Surgery Procedures: A Literature Review
Reviews on Recent Clinical Trials Essential Roles of Toll-Like Receptors in Atherosclerosis
Current Medicinal Chemistry Three Musketeers for Lowering Cholesterol: Statins, Ezetimibe and Evolocumab
Current Medicinal Chemistry Amiodarone Hepatotoxicity
Current Vascular Pharmacology Cellular Mechanisms of the Protective Effect of Polyphenols on the Neurovascular Unit in Strokes
Cardiovascular & Hematological Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Traditional and Novel Risk Factors of Diabetic Retinopathy and Research Challenges
Current Medicinal Chemistry Exosomes and Exosomal microRNAs in Age-associated Stroke
Current Vascular Pharmacology