ABSTRACT
Microalgae are known to synthesize a number of bioactive compounds, which could be exploited for the economical and sustainable production of various industrial products including biofuels. Due to their high protein content, microalgal biomass are considered an excellent food supplement for humans and could make up a significant part of the RDA of vitamins, mineral,?-carotene and omega-3-fatty acids. Further they could be used as cheap and nutritive feed for the animals and fish. Microalgals contains the some essential PUFAs, carotenoids and other compounds that are useful in human metabolism and growth and also have antioxidative, anti-microbial, anticancer and even protect from the UV rays.
Microalgal pigments i.e., chlorophylls, carotenoids and phycobilins have a variety of colors like green, yellow, orange, red, blue-green or even golden; that could be considered as natural colorants and commercially exploited. In certain conditions, they found to reserve polyhydoxybutyrate in their cells which are known for their thermo plasticity, water resistant and are completely biodegradable nature; could be an eco-friendly alternative option for the current time plastics. Their ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen and enhancing the nutrient availability could be used as biofertilizers to improve plant growth. Further containing the significant amount of sugars, lipids and protein content, microalgal biomass could be excellent and sustainable feedstock for the production of various biofuels.
