Microalgae in medicine and human health

Borowitzka, M.A.ORCID: 0000-0001-6504-4563 (2018) Microalgae in medicine and human health. In: Levine, I.A. and Fleurence, J., (eds.) Microalgae in Health and Disease Prevention. Academic Press, London, pp. 195-210.

Abstract

This chapter presents the historical and more recent aspects of the application of microalgae in human health. Microalgae rarely have been mentioned in this context until less than 70 years ago. This should not be surprising because, unlike seaweeds, almost none of the microalgae can be gathered from natural populations in quantity; they require culturing and harvesting technologies to produce adequate amounts for use. The only microalgae for which there are historical records before 1900 of use by humans, mainly as food, are the cyanobacteria Nostoc and Arthrospira (Spirulina), and the fungus/algae association called lichens. This chapter summarizes the various uses of Nostoc, Arthrospira, Lichens, Chlorella, Aphanizomenon as neutraceuticals, pharamaceuticals, and as nutritional supplements and also highlights the use of some other species in the making of antibiotics and anesthetics.

Item Type:	Book Chapter
Murdoch Affiliation(s):	School of Veterinary and Life Sciences
Publisher:	Academic Press
Copyright:	© 2018 Elsevier Inc.
URI:	http://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/57890

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