Abstract
Marine macroalgae are versatile third-generation biomass with significant potential to produce high-value bioactive compounds such as pigments, rare sugars, sulfated polysaccharides, and oligosaccharides, which are increasingly relevant for pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and cosmetic applications. This review hypothesizes that a comprehensive understanding of both well-established and emerging bioactive compounds, along with improvements in extraction methodologies, is essential for realizing the full potential of macroalgae-based biorefineries.
Highlight
- Marine macroalgae serve as a sustainable source of high-value bioactive compounds.
- Rare sugars, sulfated polysaccharides, and pigments have untapped industrial potential.
- Advances in biorefinery optimize macroalgal extraction for pharmaceuticals and food.
- Challenges in large-scale processing highlight the need for improved technologies.
Unlike previous studies, this review uniquely consolidates underexplored bioactives and emerging extraction strategies, thereby offering a roadmap for biorefinery development. The contribution of this work lies in identifying critical bottlenecks in macroalgal valorization and presenting integrated biorefinery strategies tailored for sustainable adoption. With the global demand for marine-derived ingredients projected to reach approximately USD 16 billion by 2030, this review highlights commercially viable compounds, eco-efficient extraction routes, and future directions such as the integration of omics technologies, bioprocess intensification, and valorization of underutilized species.
The significance of this review lies in highlighting that eco-efficient extraction methods, particularly those using green solvents and process intensification, are the most promising for scalability. Moreover, rare sugars, pigments, and sulfated oligosaccharides remain commercially underexploited yet hold high potential. Addressing biomass variability and economic constraints requires integrated biorefinery strategies. By offering a holistic and forward-looking perspective, this review bridges existing knowledge gaps and provides strategic insights into the future development of sustainable marine macroalgal utilization for high-value industrial applications.
Additional sections
High-value compound from marine macroalgae
Among the high-value chemicals found in macroalgae are phycocolloids, proteins, sulfated oligosaccharides, rare sugars, and pigments [4]. Phycocolloids such as agar, carrageenan, and alginate are widely used in biotechnology, food, and pharmaceutical industries because of their gelling, stabilizing, and emulsifying properties [37]. Proteins and amino acids derived from macroalgae have gained attention as alternative sources of bioactive peptides with antioxidant, antihypertensive, and
Harvesting high-value compounds from macroalgae
Macroalgae, both wild and farmed, are increasingly being harvested for broad industrial applications. Notably, Indonesia, China, and the Philippines are the leading producers of farmed macroalgae, whereas Europe predominates in wild harvesting of macroalgae [102]. Its production has more than tripled over two decades, reaching 35 million tonnes by 2020, including mostly Undaria (7 %), Pyropia (9 %), Gracilaria (10 %), Eucheumatoids (34 %), and Saccharina (35 %) [103].
Biorefinery approach
The continuous use of nonrenewable energy sources has caused a gradual depletion of the main sources, thus putting pressure on human-based industries. This scenario will greatly influence the global economy owing to the reduction in these energy resources. Additionally, irregular climate change has contributed to the global accumulation of marine biomass.
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Obie Farobie, Nur Izyan Wan Azelee, Sehrish Javaid, Muhammad Irfan Bakhsi, Widya Fatriasari, Subramaniyasharma Sivaraman, Rangabhashiyam Selvasembian, Unlocking the potential of marine macroalgae: A comprehensive review of bioactives, extraction techniques, and biorefinery pathways, Process Biochemistry, Volume 158, 2025, Pages 54-80, ISSN 1359-5113, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procbio.2025.08.010.
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