Microalgae are known as a rich source of bioactive compounds which exhibit different biological activities. Increased demand for sustainable biomass for production of important bioactive components with various potential especially therapeutic applications has resulted in noticeable interest in algae. Utilisation of microalgae in multiple scopes has been growing in various industries ranging from harnessing renewable energy to exploitation of high-value products. The focuses of this review are on production and the use of value-added components obtained from microalgae with current and potential application in the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, cosmeceutical, energy and agri-food industries, as well as for bioremediation. Moreover, this work discusses the advantage, potential new beneficial strains, applications, limitations, research gaps and future prospect of microalgae in industry.

The public health threat posed by a looming ‘post-antibiotic’ era necessitates new approaches to antibiotic discovery. Drug development has typically avoided exploitation of membrane-binding properties, in contrast to nature’s control of biological pathways via modulation of membrane-associated proteins and membrane lipid composition. Here, we describe the rejuvenation of the glycopeptide antibiotic vancomycin via selective targeting of bacterial membranes. Peptide libraries based on positively charged electrostatic effector sequences are ligated to N-terminal lipophilic membrane-insertive elements and then conjugated to vancomycin. These modified lipoglycopeptides, the ‘vancapticins’, possess enhanced membrane affinity and activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and other Gram-positive bacteria, and retain activity against glycopeptide-resistant strains. Optimised antibiotics show in vivo efficacy in multiple models of bacterial infection. This membrane-targeting strategy has potential to ‘revitalise’ antibiotics that have lost effectiveness against recalcitrant bacteria, or enhance the activity of other intravenous-administered drugs that target membrane-associated receptors.

The term "inflammatory bowel disease" (IBD) refers to a group of chronic inflammatory gastrointestinal disorders, which include ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. The necessity for alternative therapeutic approaches is underscored by the fact that although present medicines are successful, they frequently result in considerable adverse effects. Naturally occurring substances included in fruits and vegetables called polyphenols have been shown to have the capacity to control important inflammatory pathways including NF-κB and JAK/STAT, which are essential for the pathophysiology of IBD. The processes by which polyphenols, such as curcumin, EGCG, resveratrol, and quercetin, reduce inflammation are examined in this article. Polyphenols may have therapeutic advantages by blocking the synthesis of cytokines and the activation of immune cells by targeting these pathways. Preclinical study indicates a reduction in intestinal inflammation, which is encouraging. However, more clinical research is needed to determine the clinical relevance of polyphenols in the therapy of IBD, especially with regard to their long-term safety and bioavailability.

Introduction. The Carica papaya L. leaf is gaining interest as a potential therapeutic agent for alleviating dengue- and non-dengue-associated thrombocytopaenia. In that regard, safety considerations are as important as efficacy potential. The safety evaluation of botanical products for human use is complicated by variable formulations, complex phytochemical composition, and extrinsic toxicants. This review aimed to systematically collate related safety clinical and preclinical data, as well as reports on herb-drug interactions of C. papaya leaf consumption. Methods. A systematic search using predetermined keywords on electronic databases (MEDLINE, Cochrane Library Central, LILACS, and Web of Science) and grey literature was conducted. Relevant clinical and preclinical studies were identified, screened, and analysed to present an overall safety profile of C. papaya leaf consumption. Results. A total of 41 articles were included (23 clinical, 5 ongoing trials, and 13 preclinical) for descriptive analysis on study characteristics, adverse reactions, toxicity findings, and herb-drug interactions, from which 13 randomised controlled and quasiexperimental trials were further assessed for risk of bias and reporting quality. Overall, C. papaya leaf consumption (in the form of juice and standardised aqueous extract) was well tolerated by adult humans for short durations (<five days) while one randomised controlled trial reported safe consumption of C. papaya leaf standardised aqueous extract in children (aged 112 years). Minor gastrointestinal side effects were most commonly reported. There are concerns about hepatotoxicity and reproductive toxicity in long-term use, supported by animal studies. Unfavourable herb-drug interactions with metformin, glimepiride, digoxin, ciprofloxacin, and artemisinin were accounted. Conclusion. C. papaya leaf consumption in adults is generally safe for short-term use though cautioned in pregnancy and people with liver impairment. It has potential herb-drug interactions with oral hypoglycaemic agents, p-glycoprotein substrates, and antibiotics with cation chelating properties.

Aquaculture is the fastest-growing food production sector and plays a pivotal role in global food security. However, the reliance on conventional fishmeal and fish oil in aquafeeds raises sustainability concerns due to overfishing, high costs, and ecological burden. This review explores the valorisation of microalgae as a sustainable and functional alternative for aquafeed development. Microalgae are rich in proteins, polyunsaturated fatty acids, bioactive compounds, and pigments that support aquatic animal growth, immunity, and product quality. We critically examine the integration of green technologies, including cultivation systems, biomass harvesting, and eco-friendly extraction methods for optimising microalgal biomass and bioactive recovery. The review also discusses recent innovations in bioremediation and circular aquaculture systems, highlighting the role of microalgae in reducing nutrient discharge, carbon footprint, and operational cost. Challenges such as scalability, digestibility, and economic feasibility are also addressed, providing insight into pathways toward industrial adoption. This review aims to provide an updated and holistic perspective on microalgae-based aquafeeds in advancing sustainable aquaculture practices.

Coffee infused with the additive Eurycoma longifolia, also known as Tongkat ali (TA), has become widely available in the Malaysian market. Safety evaluations for consumption of the products have been called for due to the herbal addition. This study investigates the acute, subacute and chronic effects of a commercial TA coffee in Sprague Dawley rats when given in a single, repeated and prolonged dosage. The dosages of 0.005, 0.05, 0.30 and 2 g/kg body weight (BW) were used in the acute study and 0.14, 0.29 and 1 g/kg BW were used in the repeated dose studies. The in-life parameters measured were food and water intake, body weight and clinical observations. Blood were collected for hematology and clinical biochemistry analyses. All animals were subjected to full necropsies. Non-toxicity-related changes were observed in the food and water consumption parameters. Body weight showed normal increments and none of the animals had any clinical signs of toxicity. Microscopically assessed organ tissues did not reveal any abnormalities. There was significant decrease of platelet count in all the chronic study male treated groups. Significant elevation of renal profile parameters in both gender groups given 0.29 g/kg BW, along with liver and lipid profile elevation in some female groups of the chronic study were noted. No dose-dependent relationship was apparent in the dosage range tested, though these changes may suggest an initial safety indication to the TA coffee. The study concludes that the no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) for this commercial TA coffee was 1 g/kg BW.