The high content of lipids in microalgae (>60% w/w in some species) and of carbohydrates in seaweed (up to 75%) have promoted intensive research towards valorisation of algal components for the production of biofuels. However, the exploitation of the carbohydrate fraction to produce a range of chemicals and chemical intermediates with established markets is still limited. These include organic acids (e.g. succinic and lactic acid), alcohols other than bioethanol (e.g. butanol), and biomaterials (e.g. polyhydroxyalkanoates). This review highlights current and potential applications of the marine algal carbohydrate fractions as major C-source for microbial production of biomaterials and building blocks.

微藻类中的脂质含量高（某些物种中w / w超过60％）和海藻中的碳水化合物含量高（高达75％），已经促进了对用于生产生物燃料的藻类成分的增值研究的深入研究。但是，利用碳水化合物馏分生产具有一定市场的一系列化学品和化学中间体仍然受到限制。这些包括有机酸（例如琥珀酸和乳酸），除生物乙醇以外的醇（例如丁醇）和生物材料（例如聚羟基链烷酸酯）。这篇综述重点介绍了海洋藻类碳水化合物馏分作为微生物生产生物材料和构件的主要碳源的当前和潜在应用。