Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
Int J Food Sci Nutr. 2011 Dec;62(8):794-9. doi: 10.3109/09637486.2011.582460. Epub 2011 May 16.
Microalgae are known for centuries, but their commercial large-scale production started a few decades ago. They can be grown in open-culture systems such as lakes or highly controlled close-culture systems, have higher productivity than the traditional crops and can be grown in climatic conditions and regions where other crops cannot be grown, such as desert and coastal areas. The edible microalgae are the green algae (chlorophyta) and the cyanobacteria. Microalgae contain substances of high biological value, such as polyunsaturated fatty acids, proteins, amino acids, pigments, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. They are promising sources for novel products and applications and they can be used in the diet of humans and animals as natural foods with health benefits. Moreover, they can find use in the protection of the environment, as well as in pharmaceuticals, biofuel production and cosmetics.
微藻已有数百年的历史，但它们的商业大规模生产是在几十年前才开始的。它们可以在开放式培养系统中生长，如湖泊，或高度控制的封闭式培养系统中，其生产力比传统作物更高，并且可以在其他作物无法生长的气候条件和地区生长，如沙漠和沿海地区。可食用的微藻是绿藻（Chlorophyta）和蓝藻。微藻含有具有高生物价值的物质，如多不饱和脂肪酸、蛋白质、氨基酸、色素、抗氧化剂、维生素和矿物质。它们是具有前景的新型产品和应用的来源，可以作为天然食品添加到人类和动物的饮食中，具有健康益处。此外，它们可以在环境保护、制药、生物燃料生产和化妆品中找到用途。
