Xueqian Li , Kuiyou Wang , Fengyu Bai , Peng Ge , Mingqian Tan
{"title":"Algal protein: Structural functionality, advanced extraction technologies, and challenges for applications in food nutrition security","authors":"Xueqian Li , Kuiyou Wang , Fengyu Bai , Peng Ge , Mingqian Tan","doi":"10.1016/j.foodchem.2025.143572","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Algal protein emerges as a promising alternative to traditional crop and animal proteins due to its environmental sustainability, nutritional profile, and versatility in food applications. Additionally, its bioactivity and nutritional value make it a novel ingredient across industries such as medicine, agriculture, and animal feed. This review comprehensively examines the structural-functional properties of algal amino acids, peptides, and proteins, emphasizing their roles in enhancing nutritional and technological characteristics in food systems. Advanced protein pre-treatment, extraction, and enrichment methods are analyzed to improve efficiency and scalability. The potential of algal proteins in food additives, medicinal uses, and meat protein alternatives is highlighted, in addition to the challenges they face in food applications. With continuous improvements in extraction technology, species selection, and production scalability, algal protein is poised to integrate into mainstream food systems, offering innovative solutions for food nutrition security and environmental sustainability.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":318,"journal":{"name":"Food Chemistry","volume":"477 ","pages":"Article 143572"},"PeriodicalIF":9.8000,"publicationDate":"2025-02-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Food Chemistry","FirstCategoryId":"97","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308814625008234","RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"CHEMISTRY, APPLIED","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Algal protein emerges as a promising alternative to traditional crop and animal proteins due to its environmental sustainability, nutritional profile, and versatility in food applications. Additionally, its bioactivity and nutritional value make it a novel ingredient across industries such as medicine, agriculture, and animal feed. This review comprehensively examines the structural-functional properties of algal amino acids, peptides, and proteins, emphasizing their roles in enhancing nutritional and technological characteristics in food systems. Advanced protein pre-treatment, extraction, and enrichment methods are analyzed to improve efficiency and scalability. The potential of algal proteins in food additives, medicinal uses, and meat protein alternatives is highlighted, in addition to the challenges they face in food applications. With continuous improvements in extraction technology, species selection, and production scalability, algal protein is poised to integrate into mainstream food systems, offering innovative solutions for food nutrition security and environmental sustainability.
期刊介绍:
Food Chemistry publishes original research papers dealing with the advancement of the chemistry and biochemistry of foods or the analytical methods/ approach used. All papers should focus on the novelty of the research carried out.