Bioaccessibility and bioavailability of bioactive compounds delivered from microalgae

Microalgae are a promising source of biologically active molecules, including vitamins, carotenoids, peridinin, phycocyanin, polyunsaturated fatty acids, peptides, and phytosterols. These compounds carry out important physiological and pharmacological activities and can improve human health, wellness, and nutritional status. However, although microalgae contain a great amount of biologically active compounds, just a small proportion will be available to exert their biological function. Thus the extent to which bioactive compounds exert their function depends on their release, digestion, absorption, metabolism, and distribution. The analysis of both bioavailability and bioaccessibility allows a better understanding of the biological activity of these constituents. In this chapter, the state of the art regarding the bioaccessibility and bioavailability of the main bioactive compounds from microalgae is analyzed and discussed.