Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40059178›Full record

ReviewMicrobial cell factories2025

Advancements and challenges in microalgal protein production: A sustainable alternative to conventional protein sources.

Sameh S Ali, Rania Al-Tohamy, Majid Al-Zahrani, Michael Schagerl, Michael Kornaros, Jianzhong Sun

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Microbial cell factories, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 14 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
14citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

14 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
  2. Review
  3. Review
  4. Review
  5. Review
  6. Review
  7. Review
  8. Exploring the Potential ofMicroorganisms · 2025
    Review
  9. Replacing Fish Meal with Spirulina (Animals : an open access journal from MDPI · 2025
    Article
  10. Article
  11. Review
  12. Scaling Cultured Meat: Challenges and Solutions for Affordable Mass Production.Comprehensive reviews in food science and food safety · 2025
    Review
  13. Review
  14. Microalgae biotechnology and its role in sustainable and healthy food design.Frontiers in bioengineering and biotechnology · 2025
    Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Sameh S AliBiofuels Institute, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, China. samh@ujs.edu.cn.
Rania Al-TohamyBiofuels Institute, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, China.
Majid Al-ZahraniBiological Sciences Department, College of Science and Art at Rabigh, King Abdulaziz University, Rabigh, 25732, Saudi Arabia.
Michael SchagerlDepartment of Functional and Evolutionary Ecology, University of Vienna, Djerassiplatz 1, Vienna, 1030, Austria. michael.schagerl@univie.ac.at.
Michael KornarosLaboratory of Biochemical Engineering & Environmental Technology (LBEET), Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Patras, Patras, 26504, Greece.
Jianzhong SunBiofuels Institute, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, China. jzsun1002@ujs.edu.cn.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

The increasing global demand for sustainable protein sources necessitates the exploration of alternative solutions beyond traditional livestock and crop-based proteins. Microalgae present a promising alternative due to their high protein content, rapid biomass accumulation, and minimal land and water requirements. Furthermore, their ability to thrive on non-arable land and in wastewater systems enhances their sustainability and resource efficiency. Despite these advantages, scalability and economical feasibility remain major challenges in microalgal protein production. This review explores recent advancements in microalgal protein cultivation and extraction technologies, including pulsed electric field, ultrasound-assisted extraction, enzyme-assisted extraction, and microwave-assisted extraction. These innovative techniques have significantly improved protein extraction efficiency, purity, and sustainability, while addressing cell wall disruption and protein recovery challenges. Additionally, the review examines protein digestibility and bioavailability, particularly in the context of human nutrition and aquafeed applications. A critical analysis of life cycle assessment studies highlights the environmental footprint and economical feasibility of microalgal protein production compared to conventional protein sources. Although microalgal protein production requires significant energy inputs, advancements in biorefinery approaches, carbon dioxide sequestration, and industrial integration can help mitigate these limitations. Finally, this review outlines key challenges and future research directions, emphasizing the need for cost reduction strategies, genetic engineering for enhanced yields, and industrial-scale process optimization. By integrating innovative extraction techniques with biorefinery models, microalgal proteins hold immense potential as a sustainable, high-quality protein source for food, feed, and nutraceutical applications.

Indexed as

MicroalgaeBiomassHumansBioavailabilityBiorefineryFood securityLife cycle assessmentMicroalgaeSustainable protein

Identifiers

PMID40059178
PMCPMC11892233

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.