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Innovations in Marine Algal Biotechnology: From Bioprocessing to Applications

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A special issue of Marine Drugs (ISSN 1660-3397). This special issue belongs to the section "Marine Biotechnology Related to Drug Discovery or Production".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 1 September 2026 | Viewed by 4624

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Special Issue Editor

Dr. Maria Elena Barone

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Guest Editor

Corley Lab, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA 92093, USA
Interests: microalgae; antimicrobials; antivirals; anticancer agents; amphidinols; antioxidants; marine natural products (MNPs)

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Marine algae are a prolific source of biologically active compounds with diverse applications in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and functional foods. This Special Issue aims to highlight recent advances in the discovery, production, and application of marine algal compounds, emphasizing innovative bioprocessing strategies and their potential to address health and environmental challenges. Contributions exploring the molecular mechanisms, bioactivity, and biotechnological potential of microalgal metabolites—including antimicrobials, antivirals, pigments, fatty acids, antioxidants, and anticancer agents—are particularly welcome. Interdisciplinary approaches, such as co-cultures, innovative cultivation systems, and the integration of omics technologies for improved compound characterization and yield, are encouraged. We invite both original research articles and comprehensive reviews that advance the understanding and practical application of marine algal biotechnology.

Dr. Maria Elena Barone
Guest Editor

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Keywords

marine natural products
biorefinery
antimicrobials
antioxidants
pigments
anticancer agents
microalgae
macroalgae
bioprocessing
marine bio-commodities

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

20 pages, 2481 KB

Open AccessArticle

Mycosporine-like Amino Acids Biosynthesis in Asterarcys sp. Driving by Phosphorus Limitation: Evidence from Physiological and Transcriptomic Analyses

by Liang Wei, Hualian Wu, Jiayi Wu, Houbo Wu, Jinting Lv, Tao Li and Wenzhou Xiang

Mar. Drugs 2026, 24(5), 161; https://doi.org/10.3390/md24050161 - 30 Apr 2026

Viewed by 892

Abstract

Mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs), a class of secondary metabolites characterized by a cyclohexenone or cyclohexenimine ring structure bound to amino acid residues, are widely distributed in algae. These compounds exhibit strong ultraviolet-absorbing and antioxidant activities, making them attractive candidates for natural sunscreen formulations. However, the low productivity of MAAs in microalgae severely hampers commercial viability. Asterarcys sp., a fast-growing, heat- and light-tolerant microalga, has recently been demonstrated to produce high levels of MAAs under UV irradiation. In this study, phosphorus limitation was found to stimulate rapid MAAs accumulation in Asterarcys sp. SCSIO-46548. After eight days of cultivation, microalgal cells grown in phosphorus-free medium (0 mg L⁻¹) showed a sixfold higher MAAs content (1.08% DW) compared to the group supplied with 5.60 mg L⁻¹ phosphorus (0.18% DW). However, the accumulation of MAAs began to plateau under phosphorus deprivation. Based on integrated homology alignment with cyanobacteria and functional domain validation, a putative biosynthetic pathway for mycosporine-serine in Asterarcys sp. SCSIO-46548 was proposed. Importantly, the gene expression of desmethyl-4-deoxygadusol synthase (DDGS) exhibited a 2.75-fold upregulation under phosphorus limitation. Complementary bioinformatic analyses further characterized the subcellular localization and major physicochemical properties of the candidate enzymes involved. In conclusion, phosphorus limitation is an effective strategy to enhance MAAs production in Asterarcys sp. SCSIO-46548 by upregulating the expression of key biosynthetic genes, such as DDGS. This finding provides an effective solution to the low MAAs productivity in microalgae cultivation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovations in Marine Algal Biotechnology: From Bioprocessing to Applications)

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15 pages, 5502 KB

Open AccessArticle

Preparation of Alginate Oligosaccharides by Autoclaving Pretreatment Combined with Enzymatic Method

by Feiyu Niu, Ziqiang Gu, Zihan Yu, Zhi Bao, Jichao Li, Peng Yang, Dongyu Li, Haijin Mou and Changliang Zhu

Mar. Drugs 2026, 24(4), 127; https://doi.org/10.3390/md24040127 - 30 Mar 2026

Viewed by 578

Abstract

The enzymatic method is the primary focus for alginate oligosaccharide (AOS) production. However, the high viscosity of sodium alginate (SA) substrate often limits enzymatic efficiency. Pretreatment strategies aimed at reducing SA viscosity offer a promising and innovative solution to enhance process efficiency. This study compared the effects of three pretreatment methods—high-pressure vapor (HP-v), high-pressure solution (HP-s), and atmospheric-pressure air (AP-a)—on the physicochemical properties of SA. These pretreatments reduced SA viscosity and induced visible color changes in the order HP-v > HP-s > AP-a. Additionally, the effects of high-pressure treatments on molecular weight, M/G ratio, and chemical structure of SA were analyzed, confirming the feasibility of pretreatment-assisted enzymolysis. Molecular weight distribution and ESI-MS analysis of AOS after enzymolysis demonstrated that brief HP-v treatment maximizes the catalytic potential of alginate lyase, facilitating efficient AOS production without altering its structural characteristics. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovations in Marine Algal Biotechnology: From Bioprocessing to Applications)

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17 pages, 1051 KB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Different Culture Conditions on the Synthesis and Distribution of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (EPA and ARA) in Porphyridium purpureum

by Tao Li, Bingqi Xu, Yiyang Wu, Liang Wei, Hualian Wu, Houbo Wu, Wenzhou Xiang and Jin Xu

Mar. Drugs 2026, 24(3), 114; https://doi.org/10.3390/md24030114 - 19 Mar 2026

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 640

Abstract

The arachidonic acid (C20:4 ω6, ARA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (C20:5 ω3, EPA) from Porphyridium purpureum endow this microalga with potential utilization value, but their distribution patterns remain poorly understood. In this study, a nitrogen concentration, a phosphorus concentration, light intensity and salinity were applied to investigate the synthesis and distribution patterns of EPA and ARA in P. purpureum by measuring growth, lipid content, lipid fractions, fatty acid composition, and the levels of EPA and ARA in storage lipids and membrane lipids. The results show that the optimal conditions for biomass accumulation were a nitrogen concentration of 0.75 g L⁻¹, a phosphorus concentration of 240 mg L⁻¹, a light intensity of 250–300 μmol photons m⁻² s⁻¹ and a salinity of 50 ppt. Reducing the phosphorus concentration and increasing salinity enhanced the total lipid content, whereas changes in nitrogen concentration and light intensity had minimal effects on total lipid content. Low nitrogen concentration, low phosphorus concentration and high light intensity favored ARA synthesis, whereas the opposite conditions promoted EPA synthesis. Culture conditions could alter the distribution of ARA and EPA between storage lipids and membrane lipids. Increasing the nitrogen concentration, phosphorus concentration and salinity, as well as reducing light intensity, promoted the distribution of ARA and EPA in membrane lipids. Conversely, the opposite conditions enhanced their distribution in storage lipids. In conclusion, the synthesis and distribution of EPA and ARA in P. purpureum are influenced by culture conditions. To improve the yield of ARA and EPA, P. purpureum should be cultivated under nutrient-sufficient conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovations in Marine Algal Biotechnology: From Bioprocessing to Applications)

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20 pages, 1750 KB

Open AccessArticle

Enhanced Production of Bioactive Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Pigments in Rhodosorus marinus: Optimization of Thermal and Photic Stress Conditions

by Wen-Ping Cheng, Han-Yang Yeh, Yen-Ling Chen, Yi-Jung Chen, Fat-Tin Agassi Sze, Chi-Cheng Huang, Fan-Hua Nan, Ming-Chih Fang and Meng-Chou Lee

Mar. Drugs 2026, 24(2), 78; https://doi.org/10.3390/md24020078 - 13 Feb 2026

Viewed by 1010

Abstract

The marine unicellular red alga Rhodosorus marinus is a promising source of the valuable phycobiliprotein phycoerythrin and essential omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), yet the environmental triggers for their optimal co-production remain to be fully elucidated. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of thermal and photic stress in terms of maximizing the yield of these high-value bioactive compounds. R. marinus was cultivated under a range of temperatures (18–24 °C) and light intensities (100–335 µmol photons m⁻² s⁻¹) to assess its physiological and biochemical responses, particularly focusing on lipid accumulation. This study investigates the effects of thermal (18–24 °C) and photic (100–335 µmol photons m⁻² s⁻¹) stress on the concurrent production of the valuable phycobiliprotein, phycoerythrin (PE), and essential omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in the marine red microalga Rhodosorus marinus. Fatty acid profiles were quantified using gas chromatography (GC), while pigment content was assessed via spectrophotometry. Statistical analyses, including one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s post hoc test, were employed to determine the significance of environmental effects. Our results demonstrate that a mild hypothermic condition of 18 °C significantly enhanced the production of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) compared to higher temperatures. Conversely, cell density was maximized at 22 °C. Under the 18 °C thermal regime, lower light intensities (100–185 µmol photons m⁻² s⁻¹) promoted a superior synthesis of both bioactive lipids and pigments. In conclusion, the strategic application of mild hypothermia combined with moderate light intensity is an effective approach to substantially boost the metabolic yield of high-value compounds in R. marinus, highlighting its potential as a sustainable source for nutraceutical and pharmaceutical applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovations in Marine Algal Biotechnology: From Bioprocessing to Applications)

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23 pages, 2135 KB

Open AccessArticle

Content, Ratio and Productivity of Amphidinols in Wild-Type and Mutagenized Strains of Amphidinium carterae at Different Growth Stages

by Ivan Citakovic, Gaël Bougaran, Fabienne Hervé, Damien Réveillon, Cyril El Khoury, Francis Mairet and Bruno Saint-Jean

Mar. Drugs 2026, 24(2), 77; https://doi.org/10.3390/md24020077 - 12 Feb 2026

Viewed by 821

Abstract

As agriculture faces increasing pressure to reduce pesticide residues and heavy metal accumulation in soils, marine microalgae are emerging as sustainable sources of biopesticides. Among them, Amphidinium carterae produces amphidinols (AMs), polyketide metabolites with strong antifungal activity against crop pathogens. Currently, large-scale AM production remains constrained by a limited understanding of AM biosynthesis across different A. carterae growth phases and by the lack of high-performing industrial strains. In this study, AM production dynamics were investigated in one wild-type (WT) and five mutagenized A. carterae strains. The production of bioactive AM18 and its sulfated inactive form AM19 was monitored through exponential, linear, and early stationary growth phases. The maximum AM productivity occurred between the linear and early stationary phase, with the average values of 5.58 ± 0.4 and 3.58 ± 0.2 µg/mL/day for AM18 and AM19, respectively. The AM18/AM19 ratio consistently decreased with the culture age, indicating that earlier harvesting favors higher proportions of bioactive AMs. UV mutagenesis increased the AM18 cell content by more than twofold and the growth rate by up to 20% in certain mutagenized strains compared to the WT strain, but did not enhance the volumetric AM productivity. Overall, these results identify optimal AM harvesting windows and clarify the potential benefits of mutagenesis strain improvement for industrial AM production improvement. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovations in Marine Algal Biotechnology: From Bioprocessing to Applications)

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