Downstream Green Processes for Recovery of Bioactives from Algae

Abstract

Nowadays, macro- and microalgae are being increasingly used as promising raw materials for the food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries, thanks to their biodiversity and its variety on valuable bioactive compounds such as carbohydrates, polyunsaturated lipids, proteins and pigments, among others. Furthermore, more efficient and environmentally friendly processes for bioactives’ recovery are requested not only by the industry but also by the society. This chapter presents an overview on the use of downstream green processes, mainly based on compressed fluids extraction techniques, in order to recover bioactives from algae that can be lately used in several potential applications for the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries, which is the pillar of algae-based biorefinery.