Economically important of microalgae ...

Introduction
Nutritional potential
Feed source
Eco-friendly soil enricher
Sewage disposal
Medical purpose.

1. VIVEKANANDA ARTS AND SCIENCE
COLLEGE FOR WOMEN
VEERACHIPLAYAM_637303,SANKAGIRI, SALEM TAMILNADU
ECONOMICALLY IMPORTANT MICROALGAE
SUBMITTED BY:
R.KAVIYADHARSHINI,
PG& RESEARCH DEPARTMENT OF
MICROBIOLOGY .
SUBMITTED TO:
DR.R.DHINESHKUMAR,
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR ,
PG& RESEARCH DEPARTMENT OF
MICROBIOLOGY.

2. 1. Introduction
2. Nutritional potential
3. Feed source
4. Algae as a pesiculture
5. eco friendly soil enricher
6. Sewage disposal
7. Medical purpose
8. Space research
Synopsis:

3. Algae includes a wide range of prokaryotic and eukaryotic marine and fresh
water organisms, all of which engage in the process of photosynthesis.These
are
economically important in many ways.
Introduction
It can be used as a food source, as fodder, fish farming, and as a
fertilizer. It also plays a key role in alkaline land reclaiming, soil
binding, and is used in a variety of commercial product
They are also harmful in many ways

4. Algae have been in use as human food for centuries in various parts of the
world, e.g., Scotland, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, North and South America,
China, and Japan Mostly marine species are used and they belong to
Chlorophyceae, e.g.Ulva
lactuca (Sea lettuce),
Enteromorpha compressa, Caulerpa racimosa,
Phaeophyceae e.g., Laminaria saccharina, Sargassum sp., Durvillea sp.,
Rhodophyceae e.g., Porphyra tenera, P. umbilicalis, P. laciniata, Chondrus
crispus (Irish moss), Gracilaria sp.
Cyanophyceae e.g., Nostoc sp.
Nutritional potential:

5. Rich in protein, lipids, vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids:
Algae are an ideal of protein and nutrients, including B vitamins, vitamin
K, iron, magnesium, calcium, and iodine.
High-value ingredients: Microalgae like spirulina and chlorella are
widely used as dietary supplements thanks to their nutrient-dense
profiles.
Specialized nutrients: Oils from microalgae contain polyunsaturated
fatty acids (PUFAs), suitable for vegetarians, children, and those with
fish allergies.
Nutritional Benefits:

6. Edible forms: Certain seaweeds (macroalgae) such as nori, kombu,
wakame, and dulse are consumed directly in dishes—especially in
Asian cuisines like sushi.
Food ingredients and additives: Extracts like carrageenans (from red
algae) and alginates (from brown algae) are used as thickeners,
stabilizers, and gelling agents in products such as ice cream, yogurt,
and jellies.
Innovative products: Algal biomass can enrich snacks, bread, pasta,
and gluten-free foods, improving both their nutritional value and
antioxidant content
Culinary Applications

7. Food
Algal

9. Nutrient content:
Protein: 55-70% of dry weight (approximately
60-70% commonly), considered high-quality
protein providing all essential amino acids
It Contains phycocyanin pigment
which is unique to spirulina
Contains chlorophyll a and b,beta carotene
in smaller amounts than spirulina
Protein: 45-60% of dry weight
Chlorella
Spirulina

10. The sea weeds as fodder have been widely used in many countries like
Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Scotland, America, China and New Zealand. In
Norway, Rhodymenia palmate has come to be known as ‘Sheep’s
weed’ since sheep are very fond of this particular alga. Laminaria saccharine,
Ascophyllum sp., Sargassum sp. and Fucus sp., are equally liked by the
cattles.
Feed source:

11. High nutritional value: Algae are rich in protein, essential amino acids, omega-3
fatty acids (like DHA and EPA), vitamins (A, B12, E, K), and minerals (iron, iodine,
calcium).
Dietary supplements: Species like spirulina, chlorella, Schizochytrium, and
Isochrysis serve as fodder additives, strengthening immunity, improving disease
resistance, and supporting growth and development in livestock and pets.
Gut health and immunity: Algae contain bioactive compounds that promote
probiotic colonization and help reduce the need for antibiotics by supporting gut
health and reducing inflammationt Benefits for Animal Nutrition:

13. Feed Source: Algae such as Spirulina and Chlorella provide high-quality
proteins, essential amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. These
nutrients contribute to better fish growth, higher survival rates, and improved
immunty.
Algae are widely used in pisciculture (fish farming) due to their ability to
improve fish nutrition, enhance water quality, and support a morsustainable
aquaculture system.
Algae as a pesiculture:
Key Roles of Algae in Pesiculture:

14. Water Quality Management:
Through photosynthesis, algae generate
oxygen and absorb harmful nutrients like
ammonia and nitrate, reducing pollution and
stabilizing pH and dissolved oxygen levels in
fish ponds.
Larval and Fry Nutrition:
Microalgae are essential in hatcheries for
rearing aquatic larvae and fry, serving as
direct feed and enriching live food organisms
such as rotifers and Artemia.

15. Color and Health Enhancement:
Some algae produce pigments like
astaxanthin, improving fish
coloration and acting as antioxidants
to support fish health.
Sustainable AquafeedIngredient: Algae
are increasingly used to replace fish oil
and fish meal in feed, reducing costs and
environmental impact while maintaining
nutritional quality.

16. Benefits of Algae as Fertilizer:
Eco friendly soil enricher:
Rich in nutrients including nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium,
magnesium, calcium, and iron, supporting strong plant growth and
development.
Increases soil organic matter, enhancing structure, aeration, and water
retention, which are vital for healthy root systems.
Algae can be used as an effective and sustainable fertilizer, providing a
natural source of key nutrients and improving soil health for various
crops

17. Stimulates beneficial soil microbial activity,
which further improves nutrient
cycling and soil fertility.

Certain algae, especially cyanobacteria (blue-
green algae), can fix
atmospheric nitrogen, reducing the need for
synthetic nitrogen fertilizer
and supporting crops like rice.

18. Types of algae used:
Cyanobacteria (e.g., Anabaena,
Nostoc ): Noted for nitrogen-
fixing ability, often used in
paddy fields and as biofertilizer
for rice and other crops.
Microalgae (e.g., Chlorella
vulgaris, Spirulina ): Used both as
direct soil amendments and as
extracts or hydrolysates.

19. space research:
Algae are central to space research for life
support, air recycling, food, and even
medicine on future space missions due to
their efficient photosynthesis, rapid growth,
and resilience in extreme environments.

20. Key Roles of Algae in Space Research :
Oxygen and CO₂ Recycling: Algae
like Chlorella vulgaris and
Spirulina are invaluable in closed life
support systems, converting
astronauts' exhaled CO₂ into oxygen
via photosynthesis—an essential
process for sustaining crews on long
trips or planetary habitats

21. medical purpose:Algae have significant potential
for medical purposes due to their
rich array of bioactive
compounds, which exhibit
pharmaceutical and therapeutic
activities against various diseases

22. Algae contain unique molecules such as fatty
acids, phycobiliproteins, polysaccharides,
carotenoids, and phenolic compounds. These
compounds show strong anti-cancer, anti-
bacterial, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, and
antioxidant effects. Some algae can also produce
antibiotics, vaccines, monoclonal antibodies, and
enzymes with pharmaceutical relevance
Bioactive Compounds and Therapeutic Activities:

23. Medical Applications:
Anti-Cancer: Algal compounds, including
cryptophycin (from certain blue-green
algae), can act as potent anti-cancer
agents and are being explored for targeted
cancer therapies
Anti-Bacterial and Anti-Viral: Extracts from
species like Chlorella vulgaris and
Chlamydomonas reinhardtii have been
shown to inhibit harmful bacteria and
viruses.

24. Algae can be used effectively in sewage
disposal and wastewater treatment by
removing nutrients such as nitrogen and
phosphorus, degrading organic and
inorganic contaminants, and reducing
pathogens. This process, often called
algae-based wastewater treatment, offers
a sustainable and cost-effective solution
that uses algae's natural ability to grow
rapidly and absorb pollutants under
controlled conditions
sewage disposal:

25. Algae consume nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus) that cause
eutrophication if discharged untreated.
The algae also produce oxygen through
photosynthesis, which supports bacteria that
break down organic material in sewage.
Algae Treat Sewage:
They use sunlight and CO2 to grow, absorbing contaminants
and releasing oxygen.
Algae can also remove heavy metals and toxic substances
from sewage
Oxygen supports aerobic bacteria that degrade organic waste.

26. Energy-efficient compared to traditional
methods
Efficient nutrient removal (78-99% for nitrogen
and phosphorus).
Produces valuable biomass instead of
waste sludge
Advantages of Using Algae in Sewage Disposal:

27. https://gurunanakcollege.edu.inPDFEconomic importance of algae
http://www.lscollege.ac.inPDFEconomic Importance of Algae
References:

28. Thank you