AN EMERGING AQUATIC GREEN GOLD FOR FOOD AND MEDICINE: A REVIEW OF ALGAE FROM NORTH EAST INDIA

Given that proper nutrition is a growing concern for rising global populations, sustainable sources of nutritional value are in need. The food product or food derived from nutrients is called nutraceuticals which not only rarely supplement food but also make the treatment or prevention of a disorder and or disease. Algae are a diverse community of autotrophic organisms with the capable of fix atmospheric CO2, efficiently use light energy, ability to grow rapidly and compare to vascular plants, and algae produce more biomass per acre. More than two thousand years, algae are used for the treatment of different ailments and also used as a potential source of food. Due to the characteristics of rapid growth and capable of producing diverse nutritional compound, algae are largely used in dietary supplements and nutraceuticals field. Many kinds of algae have been reported several health benefits from improving the immune system to combat cancer and heart disease. With this background, this current review aims to evaluate the health-promoting effect of Chlorella, Haematococcus, Spirulina, Ankistrodesmus, Botryococcus and Scenedesmus in North East India.