New Publications from the EnhanceMicroAlgae Project partners at CIIMAR – Updated

EnhanceMicroAlgae partners at CIIMAR (Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research), University of Porto, are studying the potential applications of high-value extracts and exopolysaccharides (EPS) from cyanobacteria (also called blue-green algae).

In their latest works, they valorise Cyanobium sp. LEGE 06113 as a source of pigment-rich and non-cytotoxic bioactive extracts with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. They also analysed the effects of light quality in the cyanobacteria metabolism, which can trigger the production of high-value compounds. Results showed that Cyanobium sp. acclimated quickly to different light exposure regimes, responding by changing its chemical composition without affecting biomass productivity. This shows a promising outlook for the development tailor-made biotechnological applications.

Read more about these works here:

·         Bioactive potential of Cyanobium sp. pigment-rich extracts

·         Light quality triggers biochemical modulation of Cyanobium sp.—photobiology as tool for biotechnological optimization

You can learn more about the potential bioprocessing and biotechnological uses and applications of cyanobacteria in the following review articles by the team of researchers at CIIMAR. These reviews highlight the chemical diversity of cyanobacteria and outline current advances in bioprocessing strategies from strain selection to production and optimisation:

·         Phycobiliproteins from cyanobacteria: Chemistry and biotechnological applications

·         Revealing the potential of cyanobacteria in cosmetics and cosmeceuticals — A new bioactive approach