Deciphering the β-carotene hyperaccumulation in Dunaliella by the comprehensive analysis of Dunaliella salina and Dunaliella tertiolecta under high light conditions

The potential use of microalgae for nutrient supply and health enhancement in isolated and confined environments

Exploring isolated and confined environments (IACEs), such as deep-sea ecosystems, polar regions, and outer space, presents multiple challenges. Among these challenges, ensuring sustainable food supply over long timescales and maintaining the health of personnel are fundamental issues that must be addressed. Microalgae, as a novel food resource, possess favorable physiological and nutritional characteristics, demonstrating potential as nutritional support in IACEs. In this review, we discuss the potential of microalgae as a nutritional supplement in IACEs from four perspectives. The first section provides a theoretical foundation by reviewing the environmental adaptability and previous studies in IACEs. Subsequently, the typical nutritional components of microalgae and their bioavailability are comprehensively elucidated. And then focus on the impact of these ingredients on health enhancement and elucidate its mechanisms in IACEs. Combining the outstanding stress resistance, rich active ingredients, the potential to alleviate osteoporosis, regulate metabolism, and promote mental well-being, microalgae demonstrate significant value for food applications. Furthermore, the development of novel microalgae biomatrices enhances health safeguards. Nevertheless, the widespread application of microalgae in IACEs still requires extensive studies and more fundamental data, necessitating further exploration into improving bioavailability, high biomass cultivation methods, and enhancing palatability.

The Clinical Promise of Microalgae in Rheumatoid Arthritis: From Natural Compounds to Recombinant Therapeutics

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an invalidating chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by joint inflammation and progressive bone damage. Dietary intervention is an important component in the treatment of RA to mitigate oxidative stress, a major pathogenic driver of the disease. Alongside traditional sources of antioxidants, microalgae-a diverse group of photosynthetic prokaryotes and eukaryotes-are emerging as anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory food supplements. Several species accumulate therapeutic metabolites-mainly lipids and pigments-which interfere in the pro-inflammatory pathways involved in RA and other chronic inflammatory conditions. The advancement of the clinical uses of microalgae requires the continuous exploration of phytoplankton biodiversity and chemodiversity, followed by the domestication of wild strains into reliable producers of said metabolites. In addition, the tractability of microalgal genomes offers unprecedented possibilities to establish photosynthetic microbes as light-driven biofactories of heterologous immunotherapeutics. Here, we review the evidence-based anti-inflammatory mechanisms of microalgal metabolites and provide a detailed coverage of the genetic engineering strategies to enhance the yields of endogenous compounds and to develop innovative bioproducts.