Algal nanobionics to enhance value added products – A review

Microalgae nanobionics is a new field of study that combines nanotechnology and plant biology. Microalgae are single celled, photosynthetic organisms that live in saltwater or freshwater and convert solar energy to chemical energy through the process of photosynthesis. The site of photosynthesis in plants is the chloroplast. Chloroplast traps the sunlight and converts it into the form of energy or food for algae cells. By acting as an artificial photosynthetic system to boost photosynthetic capacity, electron transport in the photosystems, pigment content, and light absorption across the UV–visible spectrum, nanobionics has been shown to benefit plants. As a result, the current study aims to review the nanobionics approach in plants and microalgae, their uptake and integration with chloroplasts, modulation in the photosynthesis process, and their effect on high value-added compounds in microalgae. Major challenges and potential opportunities related to the utilization of nanobionics are also briefly discussed.