Microalgae as future food: Nutritional composition, safety, and bioprocessing challenges

Abstract

The integration of nanotechnology into agriculture offers a transformative pathway toward improving crop productivity, resource efficiency, and environmental sustainability. Nanoparticles (NPs), including nano-fertilisers, nanopesticides, nano-herbicides, nano-growth promoters, and nanocarrier delivery systems, are increasingly being developed to provide precision-based solutions for modern farming. These innovations enhance nutrient uptake, improve resistance to pests and pathogens, increase abiotic stress tolerance, and enable soil remediation while minimizing agrochemical overuse and environmental pollution. Their nanoscale properties allow for controlled release and targeted action, thereby reducing input waste and ecological toxicity. However, the rapid growth of agricultural nanotechnology raises critical concerns regarding its long-term ecological safety, environmental footprint, and potential adverse effects on soil microbiota, beneficial insects, and aquatic ecosystems. Furthermore, the lack of standardized synthesis protocols and limited understanding of nanoparticle persistence and transformation in agroecosystems represent major challenges to safe adoption. Green synthesis approaches using biological resources provide a promising alternative to conventional chemical methods, aligning nanotechnology with ecological responsibility. To ensure balanced progress, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), risk assessment frameworks, and globally harmonized regulations are urgently needed. This review critically examines the applications, mechanisms, and environmental interactions of nanoparticles in agriculture while emphasizing the need for sustainable and safe practices. By bridging nanoscience with agroecology, nanotechnology can play a pivotal role in advancing agricultural innovation that supports both food security and environmental stewardship.