Recent developments in therapeutic applications of Cyanobacteria

Abstract

The cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) are photosynthetic prokaryotes having applications in human health with numerous biological activities and as a dietary supplement. It is used as a food supplement because of its richness in nutrients and digestibility. Many cyanobacteria (Microcystis sp, Anabaena sp, Nostoc sp, Oscillatoria sp., etc.) produce a great variety of secondary metabolites with potent biological activities. Cyanobacteria produce biologically active and chemically diverse compounds belonging to cyclic peptides, lipopeptides, fatty acid amides, alkaloids and saccharides. More than 50% of the marine cyanobacteria are potentially exploitable for extracting bioactive substances which are effective in killing cancer cells by inducing apoptotic death. Their role as anti-viral, anti-tumor, antimicrobial, anti-HIV and a food additive have also been well established. However, such products are at different stages of clinical trials and only a few compounds have reached to the market.

• Cyanobacteria
• human health
• microalgae
• therapeutic application

Acknowledgements

Authors wish to express their sincere gratitude to Dr. Velusubramani, Senior Scientist, Refining Technology, Beyond Petroleum Company Pvt. Ltd., Chicago, USA and Prof. R. Manivasakan, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, India for their critical review of the manuscript.

Declaration of interest

The authors are grateful to Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), Portugal for their funding.