Secondary metabolites from algae: Benefits and future perspectives

Abstract

Algae have gained worldwide attention fairly in the last decade owing to its role in the production of valuable chemicals and production of secondary metabolites with extensive biological activity. The chemical derived drugs and cosmetics have massive side effects due to this reason people attracted more towards herbal products. Most of the algae are easy to grow in minimal resources in fallow land areas with high productivity from secondary metabolites and medicinal point of view. Worldwide different research groups working on algae with a different motto. Production of oil from algae is considered to be one of the challenging tasks for the researcher. Whereas production of essential proteins, fatty acids, minerals, nutraceuticals, cosmetics, medicine and food industry from algae have already in progress with productive results. In this chapter, we have thoroughly discussed different secondary metabolites which are obtained from algae, how these products are beneficial for our society and what is their impact on coming future. © 2018 Nova Science Publishers, Inc.