# Microalgae: Potential for Bioeconomy in Food Systems
## 8 Conclusions  
The global food demand, along with the need to develop environmentally friendly biotechnologies, urge the implementation of sustainable production models that consider social, environmental, and economic factors, which allow for fighting hunger and poverty, within the context of climate change, is both present and future challenge for Latin America and the world. In this regard, research and production projects conducted in several countries have shown that the use of microalgae in human food and animal feed, as well as in plant fertilization, offers multiple nutritional, economic, and environmental benefits. This industry has developed little in Colombia, but the climate and water resources available are advantageous for microalgae cultivation and production for the food industry, sustainable agricultural and livestock production, among other uses. In addition, the country's native biodiversity provides opportunities for exploring new species with biotechnological applications in the food, pharmaceutical, energy, and environmental sectors. Therefore, the bioprospecting, cultivation, and use of microalgae could be an excellent strategy for the development of the bioeconomy in Colombia. Further studies and investments are required to better identify the country's microalgae biodiversity and develop new sustainable biotechnological products. To do this, it is necessary to increase academic, investigative, technological, and productive capacities, implement public policies that promote these activities, as well as increase financing from the public and private sectors that allow for \begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{c c c c c} \hline \hline
**Application** & **Microaiga** & **Product** & **Conclusion** & **Reference** \\ \hline \multirow{4}{*}{**Human food**} & _Cryptedinium calnii_ & Yogurt with microalgae oil & Addition of microalgae oil increases & [124] \\  & & & DHA in the diet. & \\ \cline{2-5}  & _Arthrospira maxima_ & Biomass & Mass production of dry biomass (1 g/L) was accomplished by outdoor scale-up. & [125] \\ \hline \multirow{4}{*}{**Animal feed**} & _Scenedesmus_ sp. & Rotifer food & Increased population density was observed after feeding with _Scenedesmus_ sp. & [126] \\  & _Chorella_ sp. & Zooplankton food (_Macroltrix spinosa_) & _M. spinosa_ fed with _Chorella_ sp. & [127] \\  & & (_Macroltrix spinosa_) & showed better performance. & [127] \\ \cline{2-5}  & _Cylindotheuca clestrium, Entamonies alata, Playgiotropis_ & & & \\  & _Ipioloptera, Komrophorn crassum, Synchococcus sp., Tetraselmis chui_ & & & \\ \hline \multirow{4}{*}{**Agriculture**} & _Glocearsa sp., Oscillaria ampirophas_ & Biofertilizer for rice, corn, and bean crops & _Gloceapsa_ sp. increased growth in rice plants by 15.0\%. & [112] \\  & \multicolumn{2}{c}{} & _Cosmortium of Microcystis_ & & \\  & _averagingsu, Synchococcus rubsccens, Cyunobium gracile_ & & & \\ \hline \multirow{4}{*}{**Other uses**} & _Chorella vulgaris_ & Lipid and carbohydrate production & Increased carbohydrates and lipids & \\  & & & & levels after addition of acetate, carbonate, and phosphate. & [129] \\ \cline{2-5}  & _Botryococcus branuili_ & Fatty acids and & Galactose was the main component of & [130] \\  & & & exopolysaccharideaccharides (71.73\%). & [130] \\ \cline{2-5}  & _Chlorella_ sp., _Scenalesmus_ sp. & Polyunsaturated fatty acids & Oleic acid was the major fatty acid & \\  & & & present (28.75\%). & [131] \\ \cline{2-5}  & _Scenedesmus_ sp. & Carotenoids & C-N ratio affected biomass and carotenoid production. & [132] \\ \cline{2-5}  & _Haematococcus plurviails_ & Astaxanthin & The highest astaxanthin production was obtained in RM growth medium (8.3 \(\mu\)g/mL). & [133] \\ \hline \multirow{4}{*}{_H. pluvialis_} & \multirow{4}{*}{Astaxanthin} & Higher concentrations of astaxanthin were obtained when limiting nitrogen and phosphorus. & [134] \\ \cline{1-1} \cline{2-5}  & & & & \\ \end{tabular}
\end{table} 
Table 1: Studies conducted in Colombia over the past 5 years on microalgae as a food supplement.