Abstract:
Introduction. The scientific community is constantly looking for new sources of natural
chemical compounds to satisfy humanity worldwide with the need for quality phyto-medicines drugs and balanced foods. During the last time, the scientists have the main subject for
scientific research algae as potential producers of different useful biochemicals.
Aim of the study. To evidentiate the algae species as producers in biotechnological medicine.
Materials and methods. The profile literature and databases on microalgae as
biotechnological producers in alimentary and pharmaceutical industries were evaluated and
analyzed.
Results. Microalgae are sunlight – driven cell factories that are able to efficiently utilize CO2
for the production of biochemicals such as polysaccharides, proteins, oils, vitamins,
carotenoids and others. We evidentiated some algal taxons and application of their
biotechnological products in pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food industries: Aphanizomenon
flos-aquae produces mycosporine-like amino acids used as UV-screening agent; Amphidinium
sp. – macrolides amphidinolide as antitumoral remedy; Ascophyllum nodosum – proteins used
in cosmetics as anti-aging agent; Chlorella sp. – proteins, carotenoids, triglycerides and
hydrocarbons as immune stimulator and free radicals scavenger; Ch. zofingiensis – astaxanthin
as antioxidant remedy; Ch. vulgaris – biochemicals stimulating collagen production in the skin;
Crypthecodinium cohnii dinoflagellates are used to produce docosahexaenoic acid; Dunaliella
salina – B-carotene used as colorant, antioxidant, and cancer-preventive properties; Nostoc
flagelliforme – pigments echinenone and myxoxanthophyll, allophycocyanin, phycocyanin and
chlorophyll, 19 amino acids, vitamin B12, cryptophycin used for the treatment of diarrhea,
hepatitis, and hypertension; Haematococcus pluvialis – astaxanthin as antioxidant, used in
nutraceutical, cosmetics, food and feed industries; Spirulina platensis – proteins, g-linolenic
acid, vitamins, applicated as nutritional supplements, and infant formulas.
Conclusions. There is indeed a wide range of applications of microalgae in biotechnology and
a great potential to further exploit the rich microalgal resources for various biotechnological
applications in medicine. They are potential sources of high-value products, that may lead to
the discovery of new generation of drugs.
Description:
Department of Pharmacognosy
and Pharmaceutical Botany, Nicolae Testemitanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy,
Chisinau, Republic of Moldova,
The 8th International Medical Congress for Students and Young Doctors, September 24-26, 2020