Commercial applications of algae: opportunities and constraints

Microalgae have three fundamental attributes that can be converted into technical and commercial advantages:

1. They are genetically a very diverse group of organisms with a wide range of physiological and biochemical characteristics; thus they naturally produce many different and unusual fats, sugars, bioactive compounds, etc.
2. They can cost-effectively incorporate the stable isotopes¹³C,¹⁵N and²H into their biomass, and thus into various compounds they produce.
3. They comprise a large, unexplored group of organisms, and thus provide a virtually untapped source of products.

The challenge in the application of microalgae to commercial ends is to focus only on those products with large market and/or profit potential, where the use of microalgae leads to clear competitive advantages. This requires a clear understanding of the practical use of the microalgal product, the market it addresses, and its advantages and cost relative to competitive products or processes. Several examples are presented.