A review on commercialized algae products and their application in different industries

Algae are an important source of bioactive compounds extraction. To date, several compounds have been identified and extracted from algae and finally used in the different industries. The present study reviews the commercialized algae products and their derivatives, as well as applications of these products in the different industries. This study showed that animal feed, food products and nutraceuticals are the major commercialized algae products. Nori, Wakame, Kombu and Dulse are the most common macroalgae species for human consumption. Spirulina and Chlorella are widely used as food supplements for humans and animals. Agar, Alginate, Carrageenan and Fucoidan are the most important polysaccharides extracted and commercialized from macroalgae and they are used in the formulation of food products, cosmetics and nutraceuticals. Fucosantine, astaxanthin, beta-carotene, and phycobiliproteins are algae-derived pigments which used as natural dyes in food products, cosmetics, and animal feed. Polyunsaturated fatty acids are another high value product extracted from algae that has health-promoting properties and a potential applications in different industrial. In addition, algae are used in aquaculture and agricultural fertilizers.