Bioactive compounds from green microalga – scenedesmus and its potential applications: a brief review

Microalgae biomass has been recognised to have great potential as a source of novel bioactive compounds with industrial as well as health promoting applications in human, animal and aquatic lives. Several species of microalgae have undergone various screenings to identify and tap into these valuable resources, among them are the species of the genus Scenedesmus. Although it is more commonly known as a source of food for herbivorous zooplankton and in biofuel production because of its high lipid content, Scenedesmus has exhibited the potential of being a source of high-value compounds with antibacterial properties. These antibacterial activities have a wide range of applications in various industries that have not been broadly explored and fully exploited. This review aims to briefly cover four decades of research done on bioactive compounds, nutritional composition, biotechnological applications and antibacterial activities in Scenedesmus spp.