Processed microalgae: green gold for tissue regeneration and repair

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Materials Science
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Microalgae are explored as biomedical materials due to oxygen generation, antioxidant activity, and biocompatibility.
• While studied for tumor microenvironments, microalgae also promote tissue and organ regeneration.
• Processing microalgae is crucial to enhance therapeutic efficacy and reduce immune clearance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review microalgal species and processing methods for biomedical applications.
• To discuss the application of processed microalgae in diverse tissue repair contexts.
• To identify future research directions and gaps in processed microalgae for tissue regeneration.

Main Methods:

• Review of common microalgal species (Chlorella, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, diatoms, Spirulina).
• Examination of processing strategies: extracts, nanodrug composites, surface modifications, hydrogel encapsulation.
• Analysis of tissue repair applications across skin, gastrointestinal, bone, cardiovascular, lung, nerve, and oral tissues.

Main Results:

• Processed microalgae demonstrate significant potential in regenerating various tissues and organs.
• Diverse processing methods offer tailored approaches for enhanced therapeutic outcomes.
• Applications span multiple medical fields, highlighting broad regenerative capabilities.

Conclusions:

• Processed microalgae represent a promising avenue for advanced biomedical therapies.
• Further research is needed to address identified gaps and optimize applications.
• This review provides insights for innovating processed microalgae in tissue repair and beyond.