Technological application of algae

Abstract

Alge su izrazito velika i raznolika taksonomska skupina živih organizama koja je prije 3,5 milijardi godina omogućila formaciju aerobnog života na Zemlji. S obzirom na sve brojnija otkrića vezana uz fiziologiju algi, mnoge tehnološke grane traže primjenu algi u različitim industrijama. Zbog količine lipida koje sadrže, alge se danas smatraju potencijalnim izvorom biogoriva koje bi jednoga dana zamijenilo fosilna goriva. Lipidi nisu jedini spojevi koje alge sadrže pa su se tako počeli iskorištavati i mnogobrojni drugi spojevi u prehrambenoj, farmaceutskoj i drugim industrijama. Za daljnje napretke u tehnologiji nužno je više istraživanja posvetiti određivanju fiziologije alga jer će u suprotnom puni potencijal algi ostati neotkriven i neiskorišten.Algae are extremely large and diverse taxonomic group of living organisms that enabled the formation of aerobic life on Earth 3.5 billion years ago. Considering the growing number of discoveries related to algal physiology , many technological branches are looking for the application of algae in different industries. Because of their content of lipids, algae are considered potential source of biofuel that may one day replace fossil fuels. Lipids are not the only component found in algae. Many other compounds have found use in pharmaceutical, food and other industries. For future progress in technology, it is necessary to do more research in determining physiology of algae, otherwise. the full potential of algae will remain undiscovered and unuse