Microalgae as production systems of bioactive compounds. Bioengineering approaches

Microalgae contain a wide range of useful substances: antioxidants, lipids, proteins, carbohydrates and secondary metabolites which could be used in nutraceuticals and dietary supplements. Green microalgaeChlorellacontaining highest amount of chlorophylls of any known plant, 60% protein, 18 amino acids, 20 vitamins and minerals [1]. Microalgae are exceptionally rich source of pharmacologically active metabolites with antineoplastic, antitumor, antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties and, also capable of wastewater treatment, and biomass production. The genetic information can improve the scenario of metabolic engineering in microalgae. Green algaeC. reinhardtii, a reference organism for understanding the basic algal genetics and metabolism is usually used to work out various genetic strategies, including omics resources and mutant libraries, for the enhancement of beneficial properties of microalgae. The synergy of microalgal multi-omics datasets (genomic, transcriptomic and proteomic) offer a rapid and predictable strategic path for the strain improvement [2]. The algal nuclear or chloroplast engineering (transformation and CRISPR/CAS editing) has been carried out usin