This reference work explores algae's role as one of the fastest-growing photosynthetic organisms with significant applications across various industries. Focusing on algae's secondary metabolites, this book offers evidence-based insights into algal research, emphasizing metabolism, cultivation, and the biological mechanisms of action of secondary metabolites in combating degenerative and microbial diseases such as diabetes, cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, and antimicrobial resistance. In this book, readers will gain a comprehensive understanding of how these photosynthetic organisms can be harnessed for diverse benefits.

Divided into seven sections, the book begins with an overview of algae’s metabolism and cultivation techniques, followed by a comprehensive coverage of algae’s primary and secondary metabolites, their synthesis and pathways. Subsequent sections cover a wide range of topics including the biological mechanisms of action of algal metabolites against microbial resistance, and the nutritional, agricultural, environmental, and industrial advantages of algae. Contributions from renowned scholars and experts across disciplines such as biology, botany, biochemistry, biotechnology, and indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) enrich this work.

Given its breadth, this book is a must-read for those interested in plant biotechnology, drug discovery and development, systems biology, and bioinformatics. It appeals to scholars, academics and professionals seeking to stay abreast of current trends and prospects within this dynamic area of research.

Dr. Harish has been an Assistant Professor at the Department of Botany at Mohan Lal Sukhadia University, Udaipur, India, since 2012. With 80+ articles, authored chapters and edited books published and 3 granted patents, he has devoted his research to topics like ecotoxicological studies of nanoparticles on algal physiology, nanoparticle synthesis using algae, lipid production from algae for biodiesel, production of high-value pigments from microalgae, and understanding heterocyst differentiation of cyanobacteria. He is also a member of the International Association of Plant Biotechnology and an affiliate member of the Microbiology Society, UK. In 2018 he won the best oral presentation award at the International Congress on Plant-based Natural Products.

Prof. Sabiu is a Professor and leads the Computational and Systems Biology Research Group at the Durban University of Technology. The Group bioprospects for new chemical entities (NCE) and active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) against degenerative and microbial infections for new small molecule targets discovery. Prof. Sabiu has authored over 80 scholarly papers (articles and book chapters) and one edited book to his credit, actively reviewing for more than 20 journals in his field and serving as an Academic Editor in six international journals. He has mentored several postgraduate students and postdoctoral fellows. Besides being an NRF (National Research Foundation) rated researcher, Prof. Sabiu is a member of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Focus Group on Vaccine Preventable Diseases (VPD). In 2024, he was announced as a finalist nominee for the National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF) awards.