Phycochemicals

Circular platforms are becoming more popular around the world. It is an eco-friendly approach that promotes economic growth through resource utilization while ensuring environmental sustainability. The multiple industrial applications of algal cells (microalgae and seaweeds) have received great attention due to their high content of essential nutrients and elements. This chapter gives a deep overview of the physiology and pathways of different value-added chemicals in algal cells. Recent development has been conducted on indirect/direct biosynthesis of lipids, proteins, vitamins, polysaccharides, and antioxidants from algal cells for the production of biofuel and high-value products. The potential of algae as a sustainable source of bioactive compounds for application in many bio-based industries such as food, feed, cosmetics, nutraceuticals, and pharmaceuticals is discussed in this chapter. The metabolic system and pathways employed as well as the potential technical challenges for the production and extraction of commercial phycochemicals from algal cells cultivated on waste streams are compared. The nano-bionics strategy used in microalgal cells, their uptake and interaction with chloroplasts during photosynthesis, and their impact on phycochemicals are introduced. Finally, a brief introduction of a possible integrated route from algae nanotechnology integration for value-added industrial products with bioenergy production is highlighted.