Bioprospecting marine microalgae as sustainable bio-factories for value-added compounds

Abstract

In recent years, there has been increasing attention towards marine bioprospecting owing to the potential for developing sustainable and environmentally friendly production systems for a diverse range of novel compounds derived from vast marine lifeforms. Marine microalgae have evolved as a promising source for the synthesis of value-added compounds (VACs) with a broad spectrum of applications in various fields such as food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and other biotechnological industries. However, the production and commercialization of such compounds from marine algae face several challenges including the selection of low-yielding strain, ineffective screening of the target compound, lower productivity, lack of social awareness, and strict government legislation. This review intends to provide an exhaustive overview of the current state of knowledge on bioprospecting marine microalgae as sustainable bio-factories for VACs production by harnessing the use of appropriate screening, optimization and metabolic engineering strategies. Moreover, it features the classification of several classes of compounds along with their industrial applications and highlights the social acceptability and regulation policies concerned with the microalgal products available in the market. The review imparts recommendations on the future perspectives in the field of marine microalgal bioprospecting thus leading to innovative and sustainable production practices in the algal value chain.