Harnessing microalgae for protein production: advances, functional properties, and industrial potential
Open accessAbstract
The escalating global population and rising demand for sustainable protein sources necessitate alternative solutions beyond traditional livestock and crop-based proteins. Microalgae have emerged as a promising protein source due to their high protein content (30–55 % dry weight), superior amino acid composition, and environmental benefits. Unlike conventional protein sources, microalgae can be cultivated on non-arable land using seawater, minimizing resource competition and reducing carbon emissions. Additionally, microalgal proteins exhibit promising functional properties, such as emulsification, foaming, and gelation, which have been demonstrated in selected species and highlight their potential in diverse food applications. Advances in microalgal cultivation strategies, such as mixotrophic and heterotrophic modes, have significantly improved protein yield. Moreover, biotechnological enhancements, including metabolic engineering and bioreactor optimization, have further increased their commercial viability. The sensory limitations can be alleviated through depigmentation, deodorization, and formulation strategies, thereby improving the food applicability of microalgal proteins. However, challenges such as high production costs and scalability barriers hinder large-scale adoption. Unlocking the microalgal potential as an alternative protein source will require advancements in cultivation efficiency, extraction methods, and cost reduction strategies. This review explores recent progress and emerging approaches to harnessing microalgal proteins for sustainable food and biotechnology applications.
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Microalgal protein yields of 4-15 t per hectare per year far exceed those of soybeans and legumes.
“microalgal protein yields of 4–15 t per hectare per year far exceed those of soybeans and legumes, highlighting efficiency gains in land use and protein productivity [179].”
From Navigating the potential of algal peptides: health effects, market applications, and scientific challenges (2026) · cites this paper as [179]
Microalgae require minimal arable land and water resources compared to terrestrial crops, making them attractive alternatives to soybean or animal proteins.
“Microalgae require minimal arable land and water resources compared to terrestrial crops, making them attractive alternatives to soybean or animal proteins”
From Navigating the potential of algal peptides: health effects, market applications, and scientific challenges (2026) · cites this paper as [179]
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Khaliq, M., Noor, Z., Moazzam, M., Saeed, F., Tul-Zohra, K., Tariq, E., Muhammad Shahbaz, H., & Khaliq, K. (2026) · Annals of Medicine · doi:10.1080/07853890.2026.2637282 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
“…land and water resources compared to terrestrial crops, making them attractive alternatives to soybean or animal proteins; microalgal protein yields of 4–15 t per hectare per year far exceed those of soybeans and legumes, highlighting efficiency gains in land use and protein productivity [179].”
- Authors
- Zheng, J., Geng, J., Li, J., Li, D., Yang, S., Lu, X., Liu, J., Zhang, C., & Sun, H.
- Affiliations
- Nanchang University (CN)
- Ocean University of China (CN)
- Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (CN)
- Beijing Academy of Science and Technology (CN)
- East China University of Technology (CN)
- Corresponding author
- Zhang, Chengrong
- Sun, Han
- Venue
- Future Foods
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2025-12
- Volume
- 12
- Pages
- 100776
- ISSN
- 2666-8335 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W4414570241
- Cited by
- 11
- References
- 171
- Citations by year
- 2026: 11
- FWCI
- 1.53
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Future Foods (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
- Funders
- Guangdong Provincial Natural Science Foundation (2024A1515011807)
- Natural Science Foundation of Jiangxi Province (20252BAC200601)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Energy › Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment › Algal biology and biofuel production
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Aquatic Science › Aquaculture Nutrition and Growth
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Food Science › Proteins in Food Systems
- Keywords
- microalgae, microalgal proteins, alternative protein sources, sustainable protein sources, functional properties, emulsification, foaming, gelation, mixotrophic cultivation, heterotrophic cultivation, metabolic engineering, bioreactor optimization, depigmentation, deodorization, food formulation, seawater cultivation, production cost reduction, scalability
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