Microalgae-based biomaterials in wound healing: From bioactive metabolites to photosynthetic living scaffolds
Algal Research, cilt.98, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Derleme
- Cilt numarası: 98
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1016/j.algal.2026.104872
- Dergi Adı: Algal Research
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, BIOSIS, INSPEC
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Living therapeutic, Microalgae, Oxygenization, Wound dressing, Wound healing
- Hacettepe Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Chronic wound healing is limited by insufficient oxygenation, inadequate infection control, and poor regenerative support. Microalgae have emerged as a promising therapeutic platform due to their ability to produce oxygen photosynthetically and release bioactive metabolites. Current studies remain fragmented and largely descriptive, showing limited integration between biological functionality and biomaterial design. This review presents the first structured framework linking microalgal species, functional modalities (bioactive extracts versus living cells), biomaterial scaffolds, concentration ranges, and specific stages of wound healing. The study establishes a direct relationship between microalgal properties and wound-specific therapeutic requirements. Microalgae exhibit dual therapeutic functionality. Bioactive extracts provide anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects. Living microalgae incorporated into biomaterials generate oxygen in-situ, alleviate hypoxia, and promote tissue regeneration. Hydrogels and microneedle-based systems support sustained therapeutic activity within the wound microenvironment. Key determinants of therapeutic performance include oxygen production capacity, cell viability, scaffold compatibility, and dosage optimization. Major translational challenges remain, including scalability, long-term stability, limited light penetration, and regulatory constraints. This review provides a unified, design-oriented framework connecting microalgal biology with wound healing engineering and supports the development of next-generation microalgae-based wound dressings.