Problems and Prospects of Applications of Cyanobacteria (Review)

Abstract

This review focuses on cyanobacteria and their metabolites with beneficial properties for humans. Cyanobacteria metabolites are uniquely diverse. Many of them exhibit antibacterial, antifungal, anti-carcinogenic, immunosuppressive, antioxidant types of activity, etc. The problems and prospects of using biologically active products of cyanobacteria metabolism are discussed. The issues of obtaining pharmaceuticals and other valuable products (pigments, enzymes, amino acids, vitamins, biodegradable plastic) are considered, and the potential of cyanobacteria as a source of biofuels is evaluated.