Microalgae are diverse unicellular microorganisms that play vital roles as primary producers in aquatic ecosystems and global biogeochemical cycles. Among them, diatoms are the most abundant and have been widely utilized for their biotechnological potential. The model diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum is notable for its rich composition of bioactive compounds including fucoxanthin, eicosapentaenoic acid, and chrysolaminarin, which exhibit a multitude of bioactivities including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory. These properties support their application in industries such as aquaculture and aquafeeds to enhance disease control and prevention, growth performance, and feed quality. Sustainable biorefinery approaches, in particular water-based multiproduct processes, enable efficient extraction and valorization of these valuable compounds while minimizing their degradation. This thesis focuses on optimizing key unit operations within such biorefineries to convert P. tricornutum biomass into functional protein hydrolysates suitable for aquafeed application. The work highlights the promise of enzymatic processing methods to produce high-value ingredients from marine microalgal biomass, advancing sustainable aquafeed development and encouraging further research into comprehensive biomass utilization.
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