Cyanobacterial Metabolic Pathways of Industrial Interests

Cyanobacteria have substantial potential to utilize nitrogen and phosphorous for their growth alongside carbon dioxide and can transform these elements into both primary and secondary metabolites, making them a promising platform for the sustainable production of diverse biochemicals. These metabolites are not only pivotal in the realms of pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals but also hold potential for a variety of industrial applications. These include but are not limited to bioplastic, anti-aging compounds, antibacterial, antifungal agents, and antioxidants. The market size of cyanobacteria-based bioproducts reached $348 million (CAGR:10.5) in 2020, while the algae-based bioproducts are estimated to be $19.85 billion (CAGR: 7.8) in 2028. Cyanobacteria biosynthesize these metabolites, which are regulated by different genes and cellular pathways, and produce hydrogen, terpenoids, ethanol, aliphatic alcohols, and more. Several methods for the uptake of nitrogen and phosphorus by cyanobacteria and the utilization of these nutrients in cellular metabolism are covered in this chapter. Cyanobacterial pathways responsible for producing hydrogen, terpenoids, and bioalcohols are also discussed. Besides, market and economic statistics of cyanobacterial biomass and its metabolites are also highlighted from an industrial point of view.