Harnessing seaweed's potential for blue bioeconomy and sustainable future

Seaweeds photosynthetic marine macroalgae encompassing brown (Phaeophyceae), red (Rhodophyta), and green (Chlorophyta) groups are emerging as a pivotal resource for advancing global sustainability. Rich in essential vitamins, minerals, proteins, lipids, polysaccharides, and diverse bioactive compounds, seaweed exhibit remarkable properties including anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-viral, anti-cancerous, and anticoagulant activities. Traditionally utilized as food, fodder, animal feed, and in traditional medicine, seaweeds are now recognized as an eco-friendly, high-yield bioresource. Globally, seaweeds are extensively utilized for hydrocolloid production, which underpins their significance in the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, cosmetic, agricultural, and packaging industries. Beyond conventional applications, seaweed are gaining prominence in transformative sectors such as biofuel and bioplastic production, wastewater treatment, carbon sequestration, biostimulant formulation, and biofertilizer development. Their potential extends to cutting-edge biomedical applications, including therapeutics, drug delivery systems, tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and the fabrication of biocompatible devices. By leveraging their vast abundance and multifunctional benefits, seaweeds are at the forefront of sustainable innovation, addressing critical challenges such as climate change, resource scarcity, and environmental pollution. This article provides a detailed exploration of the versatile applications of seaweeds, underscoring their pivotal role in advancing a sustainable future.