Microalgae: green cell biofactories in food and feed supply chains

Microalgae are living microorganisms that comprise the food chain basis in aquatic ecosystems. However, the ecosystem imbalance and the pressure of environmental burdens correlated to the exploratory activities of the global chain of conventional food supplies—accentuated by the challenge of feeding more than 8.6 billion people in the next 30 years—boosted research fronts to find more sustainable alternatives. Therefore, microalgae emerged as strategies fostered by the sustainability character since their biofactories are capable of synthesizing a wide spectrum of biologically active compounds such as proteins, polyunsaturated fatty acids, pigments, vitamins, and minerals while fixing carbon dioxide and multiplying in adverse conditions of high organic matter (such as industrial effluents). Thus, microalgae biotechnological exploration, often associated with sustainability, makes these microorganisms a potential alternative for future challenges facing the food supply chain. Therefore, the chapter’s objective is to bring to light the microalgae’s potential as an alternative source of nutrients for human food and animal feed. In addition, the aspects associated with the antinutritional content and palatability questions will be reviewed, in addition to examining the sensory and technological properties of these potential bioproducts as a way to promote new research and innovation activities, aiming to create a more consolidated production system of microalgae-based food and feed products.