Microalgal proteins: Extraction, interfacial properties, bioactivities, and future perspectives - A review

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Food Science
• Sustainable Agriculture

Background:

• Growing global protein demand necessitates sustainable alternatives to animal sources.
• Microalgae present a viable option due to high productivity and cultivation flexibility.
• Microalgal proteins and peptides possess significant health benefits and functional properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review microalgal protein extraction methods and structure-function relationships.
• To explore applications of microalgal proteins and peptides.
• To identify challenges and propose strategies for industrial implementation.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of traditional and innovative extraction techniques.
• Analysis of structure-function relationships of microalgal proteins and peptides.
• Evaluation of production and commercialization challenges.

Main Results:

• Microalgae yield proteins with diverse bioactivities (anti-obesity, anti-cancer, antioxidant, anti-hypertensive).
• Functional properties include emulsification, foaming, and gelling.
• Key challenges involve high production costs and environmental sensitivity (pH, temperature, light).

Conclusions:

• Microalgal proteins are a promising sustainable resource with broad applications.
• Enhancing extraction efficiency and stability is crucial for commercialization.
• Addressing production and processing challenges will facilitate industrial adoption.