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Cited by 872Seaweed-derived Bioactive CompoundsAlgal biology and biofuel productionMicrobial Natural Products and Biosynthesis

Microalgae Metabolites: A Rich Source for Food and Medicine

Open access
Sathasivam, Ramaraj, Radhakrishnan, Ramalingam, Hashem, Abeer, Abd_Allah, Elsayed F.·2019·Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences
DOI 10.1016/j.sjbs.2017.11.003PMC PMC6486502
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Abstract

Microalgae are one of the important components in food chains of aquatic ecosystems and have been used for human consumption as food and as medicines. The wide diversity of compounds synthesized from different metabolic pathways of fresh and marine water algae provide promising sources of fatty acids, steroids, carotenoids, polysaccharides, lectins, mycosporine-like amino acids, halogenated compounds, polyketides, toxins, agar agar, alginic acid and carrageenan. This review discusses microalgae used to produce biological substances and its economic importance in food science, the pharmaceutical industry and public health.

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

This review summarizes microalgae as sources of food- and medicine-relevant metabolites, including carotenoids, PUFAs, amino acids, antioxidants, polysaccharides, sterols, vitamins, and toxins. It emphasizes commercial production and applications in human nutrition, aquaculture, poultry/pig farming, and pharmaceuticals, while noting that most metabolite health uses have not yet been clinically proved.

Key findings

  • More than 50,000 microalgal species are estimated in oceans and fresh water, but only 30,000 have been studied; commercial microalgal production is approximately 5,000 tons/year of dry matter, with about nine-tenths of algal cultivation in Asia.
  • *Spirulina* has an amino acid content of 62%, world production for human consumption exceeds 1,000 metric tons annually, and 1 gram contains one-half of the adult daily requirement of vitamin A; *Chlorella* world annual sales exceed 38 billion US$.
  • *Dunaliella salina* can produce β-carotene up to 10–14% of algal dry weight; *Haematococcus pluvialis* accumulates astaxanthin at 4–5% dry weight, with an annual aquaculture market worth 200 million US$ at an average price of 2,500 US$/kg.
  • The carotenoid market was approximately 1.2 billion US$ in 2010; microalgal PUFA:saturated fatty acid ratios range from 1.65 to 3.71, and *Dunaliella* can accumulate up to 17% w/w intracellular glycerol.

Methods

  • Narrative review of microalgae-derived metabolites and their uses in food science, the pharmaceutical industry, and public health.
  • Synthesizes cited literature and includes Table 1 listing metabolite classes, microalgal producers, uses, and references.
  • No systematic review protocol, meta-analysis, or primary experimental data are described.

Limitations

  • The paper states in the Table 1 note that the uses for each metabolite are general, and that while some metabolites extracted from microalgae have been clinically proved, most have not yet been clinically proved.
  • Evident from the text: as a narrative review, it does not report systematic search criteria, inclusion/exclusion methods, or quantitative synthesis.
  • Evident from the text: many health and commercial claims rely on cited studies and market figures without independent validation in this review.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1016/j.sjbs.2017.11.003

Cites

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Claims the paper makes

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  • Premisecitation

    Commercial forms of microalgae (Chlorella sp. and Spirulina sp.) were consumed as healthy foods in Japan, Taiwan and Mexico.

    “later, the commercial forms of microalgae (Chlorella sp. and Spirulina sp.) were consumed as healthy foods in Japan, Taiwan and Mexico (Tamiya, 1957, Durand-Chastel, 1980, Soong, 1980).”
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    Spirulina has a considerable amount of essential fatty acids and linolenic acid, which cannot be synthesized by humans.

    “In addition, it has a considerable amount of essential fatty acids and linolenic acid, which cannot be synthesized by humans (Becker, 1994)”
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    Microalgal products are mixed with pastes, snacks, candy, gums, noodles, wine, beverages, and breakfast cereals.

    “their products are mixed with pastes, snacks, candy, gums, noodles, wine, beverages, and breakfast cereals (Yamaguchi, 1997, Lee, 1997, Liang et al., 2004).”
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    Microalgae are an abundant source of vitamins and minerals, such as vitamins A, B1, B2, C, and E; nicotinate; biotin; folic acid; pantothenic acid; niacin; iodine; potassium; iron; magnesium; and calcium.

    “Becker (2004) reported that microalgae are an abundant source of vitamins and minerals, such as vitamins A, B1, B2, C, and E; nicotinate; biotin; folic acid; pantothenic acid; niacin; iodine; potassium; iron; magnesium; and calcium (Table 1).”
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    The products from microalgae have been widely used as a high-protein supplement in human nutrition, aquaculture and nutraceutical purposes.

    “However, the products from microalgae have been widely used as a high-protein supplement in human nutrition, aquaculture and nutraceutical purposes (Del-Campo et al., 2007).”
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    Premisecitation

    The world production of Spirulina for human consumption exceeds 1000 metric tons annually.

    “The world production of Spirulina for human consumption exceeds 1000 metric tons, annually (Ciferri and Tiboni, 1985).”
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    The Chinese first used microalgae (Nostoc sp.) over 2000 years ago as a food.

    “The Chinese first used microalgae (Nostoc sp.) (over 2000 years ago) as a food”
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    A quarter of the lipids from microalgal products are sold to the food and chemical industry for 2€/kg, the rest for biodiesel at 0.50€/kg, soluble proteins (20%) for food at 5€/kg, and the rest (80%) for feed at 0.75€/kg.

    “a quarter of the lipids are sold to the food and chemical industry for 2€/kg, the rest for biodiesel at 0.50€/kg, soluble proteins (20%) for food at 5€/kg, and the rest (80%) for feed at 0.75€/kg.”
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    Spirulina (Arthrospira) has a high protein content and excellent nutrient value.

    “Spirulina (Arthrospira) has a high protein content and excellent nutrient value (Spolaore et al., 2006)”
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    The market price of algal biomass has reported ranges of 100€/kg for human consumption, 5-20€/kg for animal and fish feed, 1-5€/kg for bulk chemicals and 0.40€/kg for biofuel.

    “The market price of algal biomass varies and has reported ranges of 100€/kg for human consumption, 5–20€/kg for animal and fish feed, 1–5€/kg for bulk chemicals and 0.40€/kg for biofuel (Wijffels, 2008).”
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    Interpretationnone given

    The wide diversity of compounds synthesized from different metabolic pathways of fresh and marine water algae provide promising sources of fatty acids, steroids, carotenoids, polysaccharides, lectins, mycosporine-like amino acids, halogenated compounds, polyketides, toxins, agar agar, alginic acid and carrageenan.

    “The wide diversity of compounds synthesized from different metabolic pathways of fresh and marine water algae provide promising sources of fatty acids, steroids, carotenoids, polysaccharides, lectins, mycosporine-like amino acids, halogenated compounds, polyketides, toxins, agar agar, alginic acid and carrageenan.”
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    Microalgal products are composed of 40% lipids, 50% proteins and 10% carbohydrates.

    “Wijffels and Barbosa, (2010) reported that microalgal products were composed of 40% lipids, 50% proteins and 10% carbohydrates”
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    Spirulina has an amino acid content of 62%, and it is a rich natural source of vitamins A, B1, B2, B12, as well as phytopigments, including carotenoids and xanthophyll.

    “It has an amino acid content of 62%, and it is a rich natural source of vitamins A, B1, B2, B12, as well as phytopigments, including carotenoids and xanthophyll (Richmond, 1988).”
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    Microalgae are a remarkable but poorly explored natural source for a healthy diet.

    “Microalgae are considered as a remarkable but poorly explored natural source for a healthy diet.”
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    The lack of polysaccharides in the cell wall of cyanobacteria makes their biomass a more easily digestible material and therefore more acceptable for human consumption.

    “Interestingly, the lack of polysaccharides in the cell wall of cyanobacteria makes their biomass a more easily digestible material and therefore more acceptable for human consumption (Richmond and Preiss, 1980).”
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    Aphanizomenon flos-aquae, Chlorella sp., Dunaliella salina, Dunaliella tertiolecta and Spirulina plantensis are some of the microalgae species widely used as a human food source because they are rich in protein content and have high nutritive value.

    “Aphanizomenon flos-aquae, Chlorella sp., Dunaliella salina (D. salina), Dunaliella tertiolecta (D. tertiolecta) and Spirulina plantensis (S. plantensis) are some of the microalgae species widely used as a human food source because they are rich in protein content and have high nutritive value (Soletto et al., 2005, Rangel-Yagui et al., 2004).”
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    The commercial production of microalgae is approximately 5,000 tons/year of dry matter.

    “The commercial production of microalgae is approximately 5,000 tons/year of dry matter (Raja et al., 2008).”
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    Spirulina has gained worldwide popularity as a food supplement.

    “and has gained worldwide popularity as a food supplement (Colla et al., 2007).”
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    The USA ranks first in Spirulina-based products, primarily in the form of pills and spray-dried powder, followed by China, Israel, Japan, Mexico, Taiwan and Thailand.

    “Among these countries, the USA ranks first in Spirulina-based products, primarily in the form of pills and spray-dried powder, followed by China, Israel, Japan, Mexico, Taiwan and Thailand (Spolaore et al., 2006).”
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    Chlamydomonas reinhardtii has chloroplast features well-suited for developing a delivery system for oral vaccines, which will be helpful for developing a microalgal vaccine strategy for immunizing aquatic animals.

    “Chlamydomonas reinhardtii (C. reinhardtii) is known to have chloroplast features well-suited for developing a delivery system for oral vaccines (Surzycki et al., 2009), which will be helpful for developing a microalgal vaccine strategy for immunizing aquatic animals.”
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    Microalgae improve the immune system, lipid metabolism, gut function, and stress resistance; increase appetite, weight, number of eggs, and reproductive performance; and reduce cholesterol levels.

    “Microalgae have been credited with improving the immune system, lipid metabolism, gut function, and stress resistance (Shields and Lupatsch, 2012); increasing appetite, weight, number of eggs, and reproductive performance; and reducing cholesterol levels (Svircev, 2005).”
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    Using some species of microalgae in the diet of fish lowers their price by 50% and increases the nutritional value in fish.

    “Using some species of microalgae in the diet of fish lowers their price by 50% and increases the nutritional value in fish; it is often used in a combination of two or more species of microalgae (Svircev, 2005).”
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    The extract of Chlorella sp. can increase hemoglobin concentration, lower blood sugar levels and act as hypocholesterolemic and hepatoprotective agents during malnutrition and ethionine intoxication.

    “Barrow and Shahidie (2008) noted that the extract of Chlorella sp. showed several health benefits. For instance, it can increase hemoglobin concentration, lower blood sugar levels and act as hypocholesterolemic and hepatoprotective agents during malnutrition and ethionine intoxication.”
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    Algae are a potential source for feed supplement or a substitute for conventional protein sources, such as soybean meal and fish meal.

    “Many studies have suggested algae as a potential source for feed supplement or a substitute for conventional protein sources, such as soybean meal and fish meal (Becker, 1994, Spolaore et al., 2006).”
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    Algae improve immune response, fertility, weight control and external appearance in animals.

    “Due to large profiles of natural vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids in algae, it will improve the immune response, fertility, weight control and the external appearance, such as healthy skin and a lustrous coat in animals (Certik and Shimizu, 1999).”
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    The world annual sales of Chlorella exceed 38 billion US$.

    “The world annual sales of Chlorella exceed 38 billion US$ (Yamaguchi, 1997).”
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    A positive correlation was observed between survival rates and pigment concentration in prawn tissue, indicating that pigment may play a vital role in improving the survival rates of prawns.

    “A positive correlation was observed between survival rates and pigment concentration in prawn tissue, indicating that pigment may play a vital role in improving the survival rates of prawns (Chien and Jeng 1992).”
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    Spirulina improves the palatability of feed, and fish fed Spirulina have less abdominal fat and have better flavor, firmer flesh, and brighter skin.

    “It improves the palatability of feed, and it has been reported that fish fed Spirulina have less abdominal fat and have better flavor, firmer flesh, and brighter skin (Mori, 1987).”
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    Phycocyanin from Spirulina stimulates hematopoiesis and emulates the effects of hormones, regulating the production of white blood cells during the damage of bone marrow stem cells.

    “Phycocyanin from Spirulina stimulates hematopoiesis and emulates the effects of hormones, regulating the production of white blood cells during the damage of bone marrow stem cells (Vonshak, 1986).”
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    Microalgae are currently used as feed for the culture of larvae and juvenile shellfish and finfish, as well as for raising the zooplankton required for feeding juvenile animals.

    “Microalgae are currently used as feed for the culture of larvae and juvenile shellfish and finfish, as well as for raising the zooplankton required for feeding juvenile animals (Chen, 2003).”
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    Premisecitation

    Over 400 carotenoids are identified in living organisms; β-carotene and astaxanthin are widely commercialized, while lutein, zeaxanthin and lycopene are used to a lesser extent.

    “There are over 400 carotenoids identified in living organisms; among these, β-carotene and astaxanthin are widely commercialized, and lutein, zeaxanthin and lycopene are used to a lesser extent (Spolaore et al., 2006).”
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    Natural β-carotene has a stronger effect and is more easily absorbed by the body than the synthetic form.

    “The natural form of this pigment has a stronger effect and can be easily absorbed by the body when compared to the synthetic form (Chen et al., 1993).”
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    High light intensity, high salinity, extreme temperatures, and nutrient supplements enhance β-carotene production.

    “The high light intensity, high salinity, extreme temperatures, and nutrient supplements are playing a significant role in enhancing β-carotene production (Henley et al., 2002, Raja et al., 2004).”
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    Astaxanthin affects cholesterol levels in blood, which could be helpful for curing heart disease.

    “The intake of astaxanthin has been shown to have a protective effect against ethanol-induced gastric ulcers caused by Helicobacter pylori (Kamath et al., 2008) and affects cholesterol levels in blood, which could be helpful for curing heart disease (Olaizola, 2005), preventing obesity (Ikeuchi et al., 2007) and preventing age-related cognitive function in humans (Satoh et al., 2009).”
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    Supplementation of β-carotene from Dunaliella bardawil inhibits LDL oxidation in diabetic patients and may delay the development of atherosclerosis.

    “Phang et al. (2007) reported that the supplementation of β-carotene from Dunaliella bardawil has been shown to inhibit oxidation of LDL in diabetic patients and may be important in delaying the development of atherosclerosis.”
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    Canthaxanthin has antioxidative, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects.

    “This secondary level of carotenoid also has antioxidative, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects (Chan et al., 2009).”
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    The natural 9-cis isomer of β-carotene quenches free oxygen radicals and protects cells from oxidative damage.

    “The natural 9-cis isomer plays an important role in quenching free oxygen radicals, protecting the cell from oxidative damage (Borowitzka, 1992).”
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    Astaxanthin ameliorates retinal injury and protects photoreceptors from degeneration in rats.

    “Tso and Lam (1996) reported that astaxanthin is effective at ameliorating retinal injury and it is also effective in protecting photoreceptors from degeneration in rats.”
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    Administration of β-carotene rich Dunaliella inhibits LDL oxidation and influences plasma triglycerides, cholesterol and HDL levels.

    “The administration of β-carotene rich Dunaliella inhibits low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation and influences plasma triglycerides, cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels (Shaish et al., 2009).”
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    A diet rich in β-carotene maintains average serum levels and lowers the incidence of several types of cancer and degenerative diseases.

    “However, many epidemiological studies suggest that humans fed a diet rich in β-carotene maintained their average serum levels and lowered their incidence of several types of cancer and degenerative diseases (Leon et al., 2003).”
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    Astaxanthin has protective effects against cancers, inflammatory diseases, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, diabetic nephropathy, neurodegenerative diseases and eye diseases.

    “Many studies have shown that astaxanthin has protective effects against diseases, such as cancers, inflammatory diseases, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, diabetic nephropathy, neurodegenerative diseases and eye diseases (Yuan et al., 2011).”
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    EPA is produced in high amounts in Chlorella minutissima, and its production can be increased by reducing temperature and increasing salinity.

    “EPA is produced in high amounts in the marine green algae Chlorella minutissima, and the production of this fatty acid can be increased by reducing temperature and increasing salinity (Seto et al., 1984)”
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    Humans and animals lack requisite enzymes to synthesize PUFAs of more than 18 carbon atoms, so they need to obtain those fatty acids from foods.

    “Due to the lack of requisite enzymes to synthesize PUFAs of more than 18 carbon atoms in humans and animals, they need to obtain those fatty acids from their foods (Certik and Shimizu, 1999, Gill and Valivety, 1997).”
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    Fish and fish oil are common sources of PUFAs, but their application as a food additive is limited due to possible accumulation of toxins, fish odor, unpleasant taste, poor oxidative stability, and the presence of mixed fatty acids.

    “Currently, fish and fish oil are the common source to obtain PUFAs, but the application as a food additive is limited due to possible accumulation of toxins, fish odor, unpleasant taste, poor oxidative stability, and the presence of mixed fatty acids (Pulz and Gross, 2004).”
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    Lutein is used as a colorant in cosmetics and food products and is responsible for pigmentation in fish and poultry.

    “Lutein is used as a colorant in cosmetics and food products (Jin et al., 2003), and it is responsible for pigmentation in fish and poultry.”
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    The higher concentration of PUFAs in fish might be caused by the consumption of microalgae, which is a reason to consider microalgae as a potential source of PUFAs.

    “The higher concentration of PUFAs in fish might be the caused by the consumption of microalgae, which is a reason to consider microalgae as a potential source of PUFAs (Jiang et al., 1999).”
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    Commercial production of lutein from microalgae has not yet started, although the basis for outdoor cultivation of Muriellopsis sp. and Scenedesmus for pilot-scale lutein production has been set up.

    “The commercial production of lutein from microalgae has not yet started, although the basis for outdoor cultivation of Muriellopsis sp. and Scenedesmus for the production of lutein at a pilot scale has already been set up (Del-Campo et al., 2007).”
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    Nannochloropsis sp., Aurora sp. and Nitzschia produce EPA-rich oil.

    “The marine eustigamatophyte Nannochloropsis sp. and other forms, including Aurora sp. and Nitzschia, produce EPA-rich oil (Spolaore et al., 2006).”
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    DHA-rich oil from Crypthecodinium cohnii contains 40-50% DHA and no EPA or other long-chain PUFAs.

    “DHA rich in oil from Crypthecodinium cohnii is available on the market and contains 40–50% DHA and no EPA or other long-chain PUFAs (Jiang et al., 1999, Ward and Singh, 2005, Ratledge, 2004).”
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    Parietochloris incisa synthesizes high amounts of total lipids and arachidonic acid.

    “Green algae Parietochloris incisa synthesizes high amounts of total lipid contents and AA (Solovchenko et al., 2008).”
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    Premisecitation

    DHA is an important structural fatty acid for correct brain and eye development in infants and supports cardiovascular health in adults.

    “DHA is an important structural fatty acid for correct brain and eye development in infants and has been shown to support cardiovascular health in adults (Kroes et al., 2003, Ward and Singh, 2005).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Kroes et al., 2003 source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Ward and Singh, 2005

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Scenedesmus komareckii and aplanospores of D. salina enhance the accumulation of canthaxanthin.

    “Some other microalgae, such as Scenedesmus komareckii (Hanagata, 1999) and aplanospores of D. salina (Borowitzka and Huisman, 1993) enhance the accumulation of canthaxanthin.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Hanagata, 1999 source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Borowitzka and Huisman, 1993

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    GLA is helpful in the treatment of arthritis, heart disease, obesity, alcoholism, depression, schizophrenia, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, zinc deficiency and some symptoms in elderly populations.

    “Some clinical trials have shown that GLA is helpful in the treatment of diseases, such as arthritis, heart disease, obesity, alcoholism, depression, schizophrenia, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, zinc deficiency and some symptoms in elderly populations (Kerby et al., 1987).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Kerby et al., 1987 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Harvested microalgae are used in the food industry as a preservative and health-improving additive and for photoprotection in skin creams.

    “Harvested microalgae are used in the food industry as a preservative and health-improving additive and for photoprotection in skin creams (Alberts et al., 1996).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Alberts et al., 1996 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Okadaic acid produced by Dinophysis sp. is a potent neurotoxin used in studies on the therapeutic effects of atypical antipsychotic drugs in the treatment of cognitive impairment and schizophrenia.

    “For example, okadaic acid produced by Dinophysis sp. is a potent neurotoxin, and it is used in studies on the therapeutic effects of atypical, antipsychotic drugs in the treatment of cognitive impairment and schizophrenia (He et al., 2005).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites He et al., 2005

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    WHO and FAO suggest a balanced diet ratio of polyunsaturated fatty acids to saturated fatty acid above 0.4, and microalgae contain favorable ratios from 1.65 to 3.71.

    “Reports from both the WHO and FAO suggest that a balanced diet ratio of poly unsaturated fatty acids: saturated fatty acid is one above 0.4, and microalgae contain the favorable range of these ratios, from 1.65 to 3.71 (Milovanovic et al., 2012).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Milovanovic et al., 2012

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Vitamin E is used to treat cancer, heart disease, eye disease, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and other medical conditions.

    “It is used to treat cancer, heart disease, eye disease, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and other medical conditions (Pham-Huy et al., 2008).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Pham-Huy et al., 2008 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    B. braunii accumulates high amounts of BHT, which is used as a food additive or as an antioxidant source in other products.

    “Microalga B. braunii accumulates high amounts of BHT. It is used as a food additive or as an antioxidant source in other products (Capitani et al., 2009).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Capitani et al., 2009 source

      Not checked in the free run.

53 of 53

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.

  • C. nivalis is assigned to two genera

    Minor

    The table note expands C. nivalis as both Chlamydomonas nivalis and Chloromonas nivalis, so the table's uses of that abbreviation cannot be interpreted consistently.

  • Cited human study is listed as a rat study

    Minor

    The text cites Gonzalez de Rivera et al. (1993) for a claim about human serum cholesterol, whereas its reference entry identifies the study as a preliminary report on fatty liver in rats.

  • Cited diabetic-patient report is listed as an Arctic algae checklist

    Minor

    The text attributes a finding about β-carotene supplementation in diabetic patients to Phang et al. (2007), but the paper's reference entry for that work describes a checklist of microalgal isolates from Svalbard.

  • A. flos-aquae is assigned to two genera

    Minor

    The table note expands the same abbreviated name as both Anabaena flos-aquae and Aphanizomenon flos-aquae, leaving its occurrences in the table ambiguous.

4 of 4

The citation lists haven’t been fetched yet

References 232 · Cited by 872

Research works printed but not linked: 7

  1. Milovanovic, I., Misan, A., Beljkas, B., Mandic, A., Simeunovic, J., Kovac, D., 2011. Species of cyanobacteria as potential components of functional foods. In: Proceedings of the 4th International Congress on Food and Nutrition together with 3rd SAFE Consortium International Congress on Food Safety, Istanbul, Turkey.
  2. Mori, 1987, Pigmentation of cultured sweet smelt fed diets supplemented with a blue green alga Spirulina supplemented diet, Nippon Suisan Gakkaishi, 59, 165
  3. Olaizola, 2005, The health benefits of Haematococcus astaxanthin: cardiovascular health, Agro Food Ind. Hi-Tech, 16, 35
  4. Patterson, 1996, Biotechnological applications of cyanobacteria, J. Sci. Ind. Res., 55, 669
  5. Phang, S.M., Chu, W.L., Wong, C.Y., Teoh, M.L., Tan, K.P., Lee, H.K., 2007. A checklist of microalgal isolates from Ny Alesund, Svalbard. Polarnet Technical Report: The Journal of the CNR’s Network of Polar Research, 8th Ny Alesund Seminar, Cambridge, UK, pp. 1–14.
  6. Raja, 2004, Nutritional studies on Dunaliella salina (Volvocales, Chlorophyta) under laboratory conditions, Seaweed Res. Utili., 26, 127
  7. Thajuddin, 2005, Cyanobacterial biodiversity and potential applications in biotechnology, Curr. Sci., 89, 4

Authors
Sathasivam, R., Radhakrishnan, R., Hashem, A., & Abd_Allah, E. F.
Affiliations
  • Sangmyung University (KR)
  • Karpagam Academy of Higher Education (IN)
  • King Saud University (SA)
Corresponding author
Radhakrishnan, Ramalingam
ORCID
Venue
Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2019-05
Volume
26
Issue
4
Pages
709-722
ISSN
1319-562X (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.sjbs.2017.11.003
PMC
PMC6486502
OpenAlex
W2765203136
Semantic Scholar
0eb2933384d6ee5a8c18a5fb87e07d7170daba00
Cited by
872
References
232
Citations by year
2026: 67 · 2025: 112 · 2024: 111 · 2023: 142 · 2022: 149 · 2021: 128 · 2020: 99 · 2019: 49 · 2018: 14
FWCI
5.00
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Funders
  • King Saud University (RG-1435-014)
  • Yeungnam University
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Aquatic Science › Seaweed-derived Bioactive Compounds
  • Physical Sciences › Energy › Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment › Algal biology and biofuel production
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Microbial Natural Products and Biosynthesis
Keywords
microalgae, food sources, pharmaceutical applications, fatty acids, carotenoids, polysaccharides, lectins, mycosporine-like amino acids, halogenated compounds, polyketides, algal toxins, agar, alginic acid, carrageenan, economic importance

About these checks

Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

Claims read by deepseek-v4.1-flash under definition version 3 (extract-v3) on 2026-10-09.

Classified by jev-1.13-20260917 (gold-guideline-v0.2) on 2026-10-09.

Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.

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