In recent years, much interest has been focused on the biotechnological potential of microalgae, mainly due the identification of several substances synthesized by these organisms. The great biodiversity and consequent variability in the biochemical composition of the biomass obtained from the microalgal cultures, allied to the genetic improvement and to the establishment of technology in massive production, have allowed various species to be commercially cultivated. In this sense, microalgae cultivations have been developed aiming at the biomass production not only for use in the food elaboration but also for the obtainment of natural compounds with high value in the world market. Among the main extracted substances, or with potential of commercial exploration, can be related polyunsaturated fatty acids, carotenoids, phycobilins, polysaccharides, vitamins, sterols and several bioactive compounds (antioxidants, cholesterol reducers etc.), the which ones can be especially used in the development of functional food, for its nutritional and pharmaceutical properties.
biotechnology; microalgae; natural bioactive compounds; nutraceutics
