Microalgae in Health Care and Functional Foods: β-Glucan Applications, Innovations in Drug Delivery and Synthetic Biology

Chao Li ^1,2,3 Ming Du ³ Yujie Han ^3* Wentao Sun ^3* Zixi Chen ³ Qiong Liu ³ Hui Zhu ² Liqing Zhao ⁴ Shangfei Li ^3* Jiangxin Wang ^3*

• ¹ College of Physics and Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
• ² Hanshan Normal University, Chaozhou, Guangdong, China
• ³ College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China
• ⁴ College of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China

Microalgae are emerging as a key player in health care, functional foods, and sustainable biotech due to their capacity to produce bioactive compounds like β-glucans, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants in an eco-friendly manner. This review comprehensively discusses the role of microalgae in health care and functional foods, focusing particularly on β-glucan therapeutics, drug delivery innovations, and synthetic biology applications. In health care, microalgae-derived compounds show immense promise for treating diseases, boosting immunity, and tackling oxidative stress.Euglena-derived paramylon, a type of β-glucan, has shown potential in various medical applications, including immunomodulation and anticancer therapy. Synthetic biology and bioprocess engineering are enhancing microalgae's therapeutic and nutritional value, with applications in drug delivery and personalized medicine. To maximize the potential of microalgae, further research and development are needed to address scalability, regulatory alignment, and consumer acceptance, with a focus on interdisciplinary collaboration and sustainable practices to align health care innovation with environmental conservation.