Microalgae in Food Systems: From Cultivation to Application

A special issue of Foods (ISSN 2304-8158). This special issue belongs to the section "Food Systems".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 March 2025 | Viewed by 2384

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
School of Food Science and Enginnering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225000, China
Interests: food microbiology; functional food; microalgal biotechnology; food nutrition; food hygiene

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Guest Editor
Food Study Centre, Fukuoka Women's University, 1-1-1 Kasumigaoka, Fukuoka 813-8529, Japan
Interests: algae; antioxidants; biopolymer; fermentation; food waste; microalgae; phytochemicals; phenolic compounds; polysaccharides; seaweed

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

As sustainable and nutrient-dense ingredients, microalgae offer immense potential to address global food security and nutrition challenges. We welcome contributions that focus on innovative cultivation techniques, harvesting methods, and processing technologies for edible microalgae. Of particular interest are studies that investigate the incorporation of microalgal biomass into various food products, their effects on nutritional composition, their functional properties, and consumer acceptance.

We also encourage submissions on the use of microalgae in developing novel food products, such as meat analogues and fortified foods. Additionally, research on the scalability and economic feasibility of microalgae-based food production is highly relevant. This Special Issue will provide a comprehensive overview of the current state and future directions of microalgae in food systems, bridging the gap between fundamental research and practical applications in the food industry.

Dr. Jiangyu Zhu
Prof. Dr. Minato Wakisaka
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • microalgae cultivation
  • nutritional profiling
  • bioavailability
  • novel food products
  • sensory evaluation

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 1745 KiB  
Article
Comparative Analysis of Pretreatment Methods for Fruit Waste Valorization in Euglena gracilis Cultivation: Impacts on Biomass, β-1,3-Glucan Production, and Photosynthetic Efficiency
by Jiangyu Zhu, Xinyue Guo, Kaile Zhao, Xinyu Chen, Xinxin Zhao, Zhengfei Yang, Yongqi Yin, Minato Wakisaka and Weiming Fang
Foods 2024, 13(21), 3439; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13213439 - 28 Oct 2024
Viewed by 1176
Abstract
This study explored the sustainable valorization of fruit waste extracts from sugarcane bagasse (SB), banana peel (BP), and watermelon rind (WR) for Euglena gracilis biomass and β-1,3-glucan production. The extracts were prepared using water extraction (WE), high-temperature and pressure treatment (HTP), and dilute [...] Read more.
This study explored the sustainable valorization of fruit waste extracts from sugarcane bagasse (SB), banana peel (BP), and watermelon rind (WR) for Euglena gracilis biomass and β-1,3-glucan production. The extracts were prepared using water extraction (WE), high-temperature and pressure treatment (HTP), and dilute sulfuric acid treatment (DSA). The DSA-treated extracts consistently yielded the best results. E. gracilis cultured in SB-DSA showed the highest cell density with a 2.08-fold increase compared to the commercial HUT medium, followed by BP-DSA (1.35-fold) and WR-DSA (1.70-fold). Photosynthetic pigment production increased significantly, with chlorophyll a yield being highest in SB-DSA (1.90-fold increase). The chlorophyll a/b ratio and total carotenoid content also improved, indicating enhanced light-harvesting capacity and photoprotection. Photosynthetic efficiency, measured by chlorophyll fluorescence, notably improved. The maximum quantum yield of PSII (Fv/Fm) increased by up to 25.88% in SB-DSA, suggesting reduced stress and improved overall photosynthetic health. The potential photochemical efficiency (Fv/F0) showed even greater improvements: up to 40.53% in SB-DSA. Cell morphology analysis revealed larger cell aspect ratios, implying a more active cellular physiological state. β-1,3-glucan yield also increased by 23.99%, 12.92%, and 23.38% in SB-DSA, BP-DSA, and WR-DSA, respectively. This study demonstrates the potential of pretreated fruit waste as a cost-effective and sustainable medium for E. gracilis cultivation, offering the dual benefits of waste valorization and high-value compound production. These findings contribute to the development of more efficient biorefinery processes and align with the circular economy principles in food biotechnology. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microalgae in Food Systems: From Cultivation to Application)
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Review

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17 pages, 974 KiB  
Review
Chemical Composition, Bioactivities, and Applications of Spirulina (Limnospira platensis) in Food, Feed, and Medicine
by Maria P. Spínola, Ana R. Mendes and José A. M. Prates
Foods 2024, 13(22), 3656; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13223656 - 17 Nov 2024
Viewed by 918
Abstract
Spirulina (Limnospira platensis) is a microalga recognised for its rich nutritional composition and diverse bioactive compounds, making it a valuable functional food, feed, and therapeutic agent. This review examines spirulina’s chemical composition, including its high levels of protein, essential fatty acids, [...] Read more.
Spirulina (Limnospira platensis) is a microalga recognised for its rich nutritional composition and diverse bioactive compounds, making it a valuable functional food, feed, and therapeutic agent. This review examines spirulina’s chemical composition, including its high levels of protein, essential fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and bioactive compounds, such as the phycocyanin pigment, polysaccharides, and carotenoids, in food, feed, and medicine. These compounds exhibit various biological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antiviral, anticancer, antidiabetic and lipid-lowering effects. Spirulina’s potential to mitigate oxidative stress, enhance immune function, and inhibit tumour growth positions it as a promising candidate for preventing chronic diseases. Additionally, spirulina is gaining interest in the animal feed sector as a promotor of growth performance, improving immune responses and increasing resistance to diseases in livestock, poultry, and aquaculture. Despite its well-documented health benefits, future research is needed to optimize production/cultivation methods, improve its bioavailability, and validate its efficacy (dose–effect relationship) and safety through clinical trials and large-scale human trials. This review underscores the potential of spirulina to address global health and nutrition challenges, supporting its continued application in food, feed, and medicine. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microalgae in Food Systems: From Cultivation to Application)
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