Affiliation:
1. School of Food and Biological Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi’an 710021, China
2. The College of Forestry, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
Abstract
Nanomaterials (NMs) are becoming more commonly used in microalgal biotechnology to empower the production of algal biomass and valuable metabolites, such as lipids, proteins, and exopolysaccharides. It provides an effective and promising supplement to the existing algal biotechnology. In this review, the potential for NMs to enhance microalgal growth by improving photosynthetic utilization efficiency and removing reactive oxygen species is first summarized. Then, their positive roles in accumulation, bioactivity modification, and extraction of valuable microalgal metabolites are presented. After the application of NMs in microalgae cultivation, the extracted metabolites, particularly exopolysaccharides, contain trace amounts of NM residues, and thus, the impact of these residues on the functional properties of the metabolites is also evaluated. Finally, the methods for removing NM residues from the extracted metabolites are summarized. This review provides insights into the application of nanotechnology for sustainable production of valuable metabolites in microalgae and will contribute useful information for ongoing and future practice.
Funder
Shaanxi Province Qin Chuangyuan “Scientist + Engineer” Team Construction Project
Key Research and Development Program of Shaanxi Province
Subject
Drug Discovery,Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics (miscellaneous),Pharmaceutical Science