Structure-guided valorization of microalgal biomass for renewable and versatile applications

Microalgae have emerged as promising biomass resources due to their unique biological characteristics and high carbon capture efficiency. Rich in lipids, proteins, polysaccharides, and pigments, microalgal biomass holds great potential for a broad spectrum of renewable and sustainable applications. However, the large scale production and utilization of microalgal biomass are hindered by several challenges including (1) accurate characterization of bioactive compounds and understanding their mechanisms in specific applications, (2) improving the yield of high-value compounds in microalgal biomass through strain improvement, and (3) optimizing extraction and purification techniques to isolate target compounds from complex biomass matrices. Recent advancements have been made in characterizing structural features, boosting yield, and exploiting properties and applications of microalgal biomass components. This review delves into crucial aspects of comprehensive utilization of microalgal biomass, focusing on structural features, structure-aware versatile applications, acquisition, and existing challenges and novel perspectives.