4. Summary

As the human population continues to increase, the demand for nutritive food and health products increases concomitantly. The sources of nutritive biomass that can meet this demand are pursued rampantly. Their wide diversity, fast growth, and diverse uses make them easily accepted for commercial culture. Microalgae require much fewer resources as compared to other crops. The role of algae in human health and nutrition will continually increase with additional research in the areas of health benefits and culturing. The usage of currently produced algae primarily includes food, food additives, aquaculture, colorants, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and nutraceuticals. Very few algal species are being cultivated for human use. There are likely more species of algae that have not been identified than ones that have and those still numbers in the thousands. Therefore, the potential for algal use in the realms of food consumption, health supplements, energy production, and many more is likely to intensify in the years to come.
