Screening, Identification and implementation of polysaccharides from microalga as biological agents and hydrocolloids – POLYSALGUE

Marine organisms are one of the most underutilized biological resources. The extreme diversity of microalgae, unicellular photosynthetic organisms that are known to produce large quantities of polysaccharides, makes them very attractive for bioprospecting and potential exploitation as commercial sources of exopolysaccharides. Exopolysaccharides from microalgae have been poorly studied compared to those from bacteria, fungi, terrestrial plants or macroalgae. Polysalgue is an interdisciplinary research project with approaches of biochemistry, physico-chemistry, process engineering and microbiology. Its main objective is to increase the level of knowledge about the potential for production of soluble polysaccharides with original structures by microalgae from marine and freshwater environments. It intends to develop the scientific background necessary for the industrial exploitation of these exopolysaccharides as hydrocolloids and/or biological active agents and to evaluate economic and environmental impacts of large scale production.