Applications of microalgal paste and powder as food and feed: An update using text mining tool

Abstract

Microalgae being consumed for a very long time by various people due to their high nutritional value. Several microalgae used in the commercial applications are either in the form of pastes (or dry algae powders depending up on their applications) or as extracts. Predominantly algae pastes are used as protein supplement in animal nutrition and aquaculture industry to feed larval fishes, shrimps, bivalves etc. But, the dry form which includes powders and flakes has various applications extending from food, nutraceutical to feed industry. Aquaculture feed such as Nannochloropsis and Tetraselmis are utilized in the form of freeze-dried cubes or as pastes. Spirulina and Chlorella are being used for a very long time and it has abundant proteins, β-carotene, chlorophyll, antioxidants, minerals and other essential nutrients which are also processed into tablets. Similarly, Haematococcus and Dunaliella powder are used to extract bioactive components for pharmaceutical usage and cosmetic industry. Text mining tools were applied on microalgae articles published between 2006 and 2016 to review the usage of microalgal pastes and powders being used in food science area. This article is aimed to understand the lacunae of research and commercialized technologies in between microalgal paste and powder. Keywords: Microalgae biomass, Microalgae pastes, Microalgae powders, Edible microalgae, Aquaculture