Effect of Dietary Supplementation with Microalgae Biomass on Gastrointestinal Tract Health

The microalgal biomass has high amounts of different molecules, and many of them have a beneficial effect on human and animal health. These molecules include short-chain fatty acids, antioxidants, carotenoids, amino acids, and polysaccharides. The presence of these molecules causes the consumption of microalgal biomass to improve the function of different organs and systems in the body. Microalgae have a high protein content, including almost the essential amino acids; the amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids can reach at least 25% of the total lipids, and some contain omega-3 and -6 fatty acids. Biomass also includes vitamins, such as A, members of the B complex, nicotinic acid, biotin, and folic acids. This allows many health benefits to be obtained by ingestion, such as weight loss, serum glucose, enhanced inflammatory biomarkers, and liver function. In particular, for the gastrointestinal tract, supplementation with microalgal biomass increases the survival of lactobacilli, such as Lactobacillus brevis, Lactobacillus plantarum, and Bifidobacterium longum. In this chapter, we analyze the information published about the beneficial effects on the gastrointestinal tract by dietary supplementation with microalgae biomass in humans and lab animals, including dosages, effects, and molecules involved.