Microalgal Biofactories: Sustainable Solutions for Nutrition and Cosmetics

Microalgae are highlighted as sustainable biofactories with significant potential in nutrition and cosmetics due to their metabolic versatility and ability to produce diverse bioactive compounds. They offer promising solutions for global challenges like malnutrition and environmental degradation. The review emphasizes their applications in functional foods, dietary supplements, and cosmetics, providing benefits such as anti-aging, photoprotection, and microbiome support. Mechanistic insights include antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, UV absorption, and barrier reinforcement. The document also covers biochemical diversity, safety, regulatory considerations, and emerging technologies, including AI-driven approaches, positioning microalgae as key players in next-generation nutraceuticals and cosmeceuticals.