Impact of Algal Biomass for Pharmaceutical Application

Many biologically active compounds found in micro and macroalgae have multiple therapeutic capabilities, such as antibacterial as well as antifungal properties. Besides that, it has antiviral and antioxidative actions. As a result, there are several possibilities to produce pharmaceutical products for human well-being from algal sources. Pharmaceutical industries use algal biomass as the cell wall of algae is composed of different carbohydrates. The fatty acids present in algal biomass make it a preferred biologically active substance that is immensely beneficial to the pharmaceutical sector. Compared to other biofuel products such as biodiesel, algal biomass is more energetically favourable since it can be used in the wet state without any requirement of further drying techniques, thus making it cost-efficient. This chapter describes the importance of pharmaceutical products derived from algal biomass and their impact on the growth of the pharmaceutical industry.