# Microalgal therapeutic peptides: From biomass to bone tissue engineering

## TL;DR

This review explores how peptides from microalgae can be used to create safe and effective biomaterials for bone tissue engineering.

## Contribution

The paper provides a comprehensive overview of microalgae-derived peptides for bone regeneration, emphasizing sustainable and patient-specific approaches.

## Key findings

- Microalgae-derived peptides show high cellular compatibility and osteogenic activity.
- Advanced delivery systems enable 3D printing of patient-specific bone implants using microalgal peptides.
- Scalable production and regulatory strategies are critical for clinical translation of these peptides.

## Abstract

Bone tissue engineering continues to face challenges in developing biomaterials that are both safe and biologically active, particularly in promoting integration with native tissue. Traditional synthetic materials often lack cellular compatibility, driving research toward natural and biomimetic alternatives. In this context, microalgae have a diverse metabolic profile, producing several biologically active compounds (i.e. lipids, carbohydrates, pigments) with therapeutic potential for bone regeneration. Among these, peptides gain relevance due to their high cellular compatibility, osteogenic activity and tunable properties. Herein, this review provides a comprehensive and critical overview of microalgae-derived peptides, covering their manufacturing process. It covers the entire workflow from protein extraction to peptide purification and characterization. It summarizes their biological properties and therapeutic applications in bone regeneration and examines their status in clinical studies alongside the main regulatory and translational challenges. Particular focus will be given to the combination of advanced delivery systems for using microalgae therapeutic peptides to develop patient-specific implants. Overall, this review emphasizes the significance of microalgae as a versatile and sustainable resource to extract therapeutic peptides and to develop the next generation of biomaterials in bone regenerative medicine.

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•Microalgae are a sustainable source of peptides with biological activity.•Advances in extraction and characterization techniques enhance peptide quality and reproducibility.•Microalgal peptide-based hydrogels support 3D printing of patient-specific bone implants.•Scalable production and regulatory considerations are essential for clinical translation.•Microalgal peptides offer a promising platform for next-generation biomaterials in regenerative medicine.

Microalgae are a sustainable source of peptides with biological activity.

Advances in extraction and characterization techniques enhance peptide quality and reproducibility.

Microalgal peptide-based hydrogels support 3D printing of patient-specific bone implants.

Scalable production and regulatory considerations are essential for clinical translation.

Microalgal peptides offer a promising platform for next-generation biomaterials in regenerative medicine.