Microalgae-derived functional materials, such as
food supplements, drugs, and
biofuels have gained a great deal of attention in recent times. Among the several
microalgae investigated for biomaterials production,
Euglena spp. are particularly attractive due to their easiness to grow in cultures and the ability to produce numerous
bioactive compounds through extremely complex
metabolic pathways. The genus
Euglena comprises more than 300 species of unicellular, predominantly freshwater
flagellates of worldwide distribution. The
plastids in
Euglena cells have been recognized as a site of the production of proteins, fatty acids, and many other value-added metabolites.
Euglena is one of the few
microorganisms that simultaneously produces antioxidants, such as
β-carotene, l-ascorbic acid, and
α-tocopherol, along with
wax esters,
phytotoxins and
polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), that are useful in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals, cosmeceuticals, and
nutraceuticals. Nevertheless, the biotechnological potency of
Euglena for
industrial production has been exploited limitedly. This review summarizes the major value-added compounds obtained from the
protist genus
Euglena and their potential and prospects for commercial production.