Cited by 28Seaweed-derived Bioactive CompoundsAlgal biology and biofuel productionFood Industry and Aquatic Biology

Microalgae-based functional foods: a blue-green revolution in sustainable nutrition and health

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Andrade-Bustamante, Gabriela, Martínez-Ruiz, Francisco Eleazar, Ortega-García, Jesus, Renganathan, Prabhaharan, Gaysina, Lira A., Mahendhiran, Muhilan, Puente, Edgar Omar Rueda·2025·Applied Microbiology

Abstract

The projected global population of 9.22 billion by 2075 necessitates sustainable food sources that provide health benefits beyond essential nutrition, as the relationship between food biochemistry and human well-being is becoming increasingly significant. Microalgae are simple microscopic organisms rich in various bioactive compounds, such as pigments, vitamins, polyunsaturated fatty acids, polysaccharides, bioactive peptides, and polyphenols, which can be used to develop novel foods with potential health benefits. Bioactive substances offer numerous health benefits, including anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antioxidant, anti-obesity, and heart-protective effects. However, incorporating microalgal biomass into functional food products presents several challenges, including species diversity, fluctuations in biomass production, factors affecting cultivation, suboptimal bioprocessing methods, inconclusive evidence regarding bioavailability and safety, and undesirable flavors and aromas in food formulations. Despite these challenges, significant opportunities exist for the future development of microalgae-derived functional food products. Extensive investigations are essential to overcome these challenges and enable the large-scale commercialization of nutritious microalgae-based food products. This review aims to examine the potential of microalgae as natural ingredients in functional food production, explore the factors limiting their industrial acceptance and utilization, and assess the safety issues associated with human consumption.

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  • In the United States, the FDA approved various microalgae for human consumption, highlighting Arthrospira platensis, Chlorella vulgaris, Haematococcus pluvialis, and Tetraselmis chuii, recognized for their high nutritional value and potential as sustainable sources of proteins, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), and antioxidants.

    “In the United States, the FDA approved various microalgae for human consumption, highlighting Arthrospira platensis, Chlorella vulgaris, Haematococcus pluvialis, and Tetraselmis chuii, recognized for their high nutritional value and potential as sustainable sources of proteins, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), and antioxidants (Andrade-Bustamante et al., 2025).”

    From Microalgae biotechnology and its role in sustainable and healthy food design (2025) · cites this paper as Andrade-Bustamante et al., 2025

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  1. da Silva Gorgônio, C.M.; Aranda, D.A.; Couri, S. Morphological and chemical aspects of Chlorella pyrenoidosa, Dunaliella tertiolecta, Isochrysis galbana and Tetraselmis gracilis microalgae. Nat. Sci. 2013, 5, 783-791.
  2. Pizzorno, J.E., Murray, M.T., Eds.; Churchill Livingstone: London, UK, 2020; pp. 127-133.e2. 118.

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Authors
Andrade-Bustamante, G., Martínez-Ruiz, F. E., Ortega-García, J., Renganathan, P., Gaysina, L. A., Mahendhiran, M., & Puente, E. O. R.
Affiliations
  • Universidad Estatal de Sonora (MX)
  • Departmento de Ciencias Químicas Biológicas y Agropecuarias, Universidad de Sonora, Av. Universidad e Irigoyen, Caborca 83600, Sonora, Mexico
  • M. Akmullah Bashkir State Pedagogical University (RU)
  • Russian Research Institute for Phytopathology (RU)
  • Vivekananda Global University (IN)
  • Universidad de Sonora (MX)
Corresponding author
  • Renganathan, Prabhaharan
  • Puente, Edgar Omar Rueda
Venue
Applied Microbiology
Publisher
MDPI AG
Published
2025-04-23
Volume
5
Issue
2
Pages
39
ISSN
2673-8007 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W4409700474
Cited by
28
References
230
Citations by year
2026: 19 · 2025: 9
FWCI
21.76
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Applied Microbiology (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
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
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Food Science › Food Industry and Aquatic Biology
Keywords
microalgae, functional foods, bioactive compounds, microalgal pigments, polyunsaturated fatty acids, polysaccharides, bioactive peptides, polyphenols, health benefits, anti-inflammatory activity, antioxidant activity, anti-obesity, microalgae cultivation, bioavailability, food safety, sustainable nutrition

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