Microalgae as production systems of bioactive compounds. Bioengineering approaches

Abstract

Microalgae contain a wide range of useful substances: antioxidants, lipids, proteins, carbohydrates and secondary metabolites which could be used in nutraceuticals and dietary supplements. Green microalgae Chlorella containing highest amount of chlorophylls of any known plant, 60% protein, 18 amino acids, 20 vitamins and minerals [1]. Microalgae are exceptionally rich source of pharmacologically active metabolites with antineoplastic, antitumor, antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties and, also capable of wastewater treatment, and biomass production.

The genetic information can improve the scenario of metabolic engineering in microalgae. Green algae C. reinhardtii, a reference organism for understanding the basic algal genetics and metabolism is usually used to work out various genetic strategies, including omics resources and mutant libraries, for the enhancement of beneficial properties of microalgae. The synergy of microalgal multi-omics datasets (genomic, transcriptomic and proteomic) offer a rapid and predictable strategic path for the strain improvement [2]. The algal nuclear or chloroplast engineering (transformation and CRISPR/CAS editing) has been carried out using synthetic biology approach for the production of recombinant proteins having therapeutic properties. More than 100 recombinant proteins have been expressed in microalgae, mainly in C. reinhardtii, including: the vaccines, antibodies, immunotoxins and therapeutic proteins (human erythropoietin, fibronectin, interferon B1, proinsulin, endothelial growth factor and others [3]. Thus, the wide taxonomic and biochemical diversity among the microalgae when using modern biotechnologies, makes them suitable resource of abundant biomolecules with industrial and biomedical importance.

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