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Innovative Bioactive Products with Medicinal Value from Microalgae and Their Overall Process Optimization through the Implementation of Life Cycle Analysis—An Overview

by Sofia Papadaki 1,*, Nikoletta Tricha 2, Margarita Panagiotopoulou 2 and Magdalini Krokida 2
1DIGNITY Private Company, 30-32 Leoforos Alexandrou Papagou, Zografou, 157 71 Athens, Greece
2Laboratory of Process Analysis and Design, School of Chemical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Iroon Polytechneiou 9, 157 80 Athens, Greece
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Abstract

Microalgae are being recognized as valuable sources of bioactive chemicals with important medical properties, attracting interest from multiple industries, such as food, feed, cosmetics, and medicines. This review study explores the extensive research on identifying important bioactive chemicals from microalgae, and choosing the best strains for nutraceutical manufacturing. It explores the most recent developments in recovery and formulation strategies for creating stable, high-purity, and quality end products for various industrial uses. This paper stresses the significance of using Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) as a strategic tool with which to improve the entire process. By incorporating LCA into decision-making processes, researchers and industry stakeholders can assess the environmental impact, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability of raw materials of several approaches. This comprehensive strategy will allow for the choosing of the most effective techniques, which in turn will promote sustainable practices for developing microalgae-based products. This review offers a detailed analysis of the bioactive compounds, strain selection methods, advanced processing techniques, and the incorporation of LCA. It will serve as a valuable resource for researchers and industry experts interested in utilizing microalgae for producing bioactive products with medicinal properties.

Keywords: microalgae; carotenoids; phycobiliproteins; bioactive peptides; ω-3 fatty acids; novel extraction techniques; encapsulation; sustainability assessment

Project Co-ordinator

Dan Cristian Vodnar, PhD, habil., Professor
Vice-rector for Research Department of Food Science
University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine

Address

400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania

Contact

Mobile: +40747341881
Fax: +40364815110

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe Framework Programme (HORIZON) under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No 101086261

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