About this Research Topic
The global trend of marine macroalgae utilization for environmental and human health benefits is increased due to the presence of high carbohydrates, protein, and other secondary metabolites. Currently, 11,000 species of marine macroalgae have been identified as biologically valuable for medical and other applications. The medical applications of marine macroalgae have the potential for food supplements and treatment of chronic diseases due to their immunomodulatory, neuroprotective, anti-cancer, anti-oxidation,
anti-microbial, anti-fungal, and anti-plasmodium properties. It can also offer bioactive compounds owing to treat metabolic ailments like cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Its biomedical applications can be expressed variably due to its large biodiversity and greater habitat acclimatization. Hence, it contributes to greater pertinence in the medical field and pharmacotherapy. Additionally, aside from biomedical applications, marine macroalgal biomass has gained
attention as suitable feedstock for biofuel generation.
Thermochemical conversion, microbial fuel cells, fermentation, and anaerobic digestion are the most commonly used technologies used to convert marine macroalgal biomass to bioenergy. However, the rigidity of the cell walls and the high molecular weight of organic compounds in marine macroalgae hinder cell disintegration during anaerobic digestion. Marine macroalgal biomass consists of several
inhibitory compounds that hamper the biological processes and cause subsequent microbial inhibitory effects. Thus, identification, biochemical composition, characterization of marine macroalgae, and their biomedical applications are required to interpret their wide range of applications.
In this Research Topic, research and review articles on the following topics will be considered:
Full characterization of different marine macroalgae for bioenergy and bioactive compounds.
Various harvesting and processing techniques for marine macroalgae.
Innovative bioprocessing technologies (such as fermentation, microbial fuel cells, anaerobic digestion, and thermochemical conversion) for bioenergy production.
Emerging processes for bioactive extraction and purification.
Challenges associated with the marine macroalgal biomass used for various applications.
Life-cycle and techno-economic analysis of marine macroalgae.
Biomedical applications of bioactive compounds from marine macroalgae (such as chronic diseases and metabolic syndrome).
anti-microbial, anti-fungal, and anti-plasmodium properties. It can also offer bioactive compounds owing to treat metabolic ailments like cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Its biomedical applications can be expressed variably due to its large biodiversity and greater habitat acclimatization. Hence, it contributes to greater pertinence in the medical field and pharmacotherapy. Additionally, aside from biomedical applications, marine macroalgal biomass has gained
attention as suitable feedstock for biofuel generation.
Thermochemical conversion, microbial fuel cells, fermentation, and anaerobic digestion are the most commonly used technologies used to convert marine macroalgal biomass to bioenergy. However, the rigidity of the cell walls and the high molecular weight of organic compounds in marine macroalgae hinder cell disintegration during anaerobic digestion. Marine macroalgal biomass consists of several
inhibitory compounds that hamper the biological processes and cause subsequent microbial inhibitory effects. Thus, identification, biochemical composition, characterization of marine macroalgae, and their biomedical applications are required to interpret their wide range of applications.
In this Research Topic, research and review articles on the following topics will be considered:
Full characterization of different marine macroalgae for bioenergy and bioactive compounds.
Various harvesting and processing techniques for marine macroalgae.
Innovative bioprocessing technologies (such as fermentation, microbial fuel cells, anaerobic digestion, and thermochemical conversion) for bioenergy production.
Emerging processes for bioactive extraction and purification.
Challenges associated with the marine macroalgal biomass used for various applications.
Life-cycle and techno-economic analysis of marine macroalgae.
Biomedical applications of bioactive compounds from marine macroalgae (such as chronic diseases and metabolic syndrome).
Keywords: seaweed, marine seaweed, biomedical application, biofuel
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