Deriving Economic Value from Metabolites in Cyanobacteria

Abstract

This chapter focuses on the challenges associated with achieving economic value from metabolites derived from cyanobacteria. Significant advances have been made in cyanobacterial biotechnology in the last few years. However, the field is still immature, and many challenges remain. We start with a critical overview of the main technologies associated with cultivation, cell disruption and metabolite extraction. Then, we provide an overview of current significant metabolite groups from cyanobacteria relevant to industry covering phycobilins, carotenoids, polysaccharides, peptides, lipids, mycosporine-like amino acids, polyhydroxyalkanoates, cyanotoxins and platform chemicals, and the potential for stable isotopes production. We cover metabolites that are already in the market and those with future potential with a focus on spirulina (Arthrospira) the most commercially developed species of cyanobacteria. As large-scale cultivation and down-stream processing techniques continue to develop further, combining this with a systems biology and biorefinery approach will ensure that the best economic and environmental sustainability value can be achieved.