Harnessing microalgal proteins as sustainable bioactive ingredients for cosmetics: green extraction, functionalization, and advanced delivery systems Sharmatha Sahadevan, Min Ying Liow, Camille Keisha Mahendra, Wei Zhe Ng, Eng-Seng Chan, et al. Phytochemistry Reviews, 2026 In recent years, microalgae have emerged as sustainable biofactories for synthesizing high-value metabolites, with proteins such as mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs), phycobiliproteins, and bioactive peptides garnering significant attention as eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic cosmetic ingredients. This review critically evaluates the multifunctional bioactivities of microalgal proteins for cosmeceutical applications, with a particular focus on photoaging, including UV photoprotection, antioxidant, anti-melanogenic and anti-inflammatory effects, as well as other properties like antimicrobial and natural dyeing functions. Additionally, this review explores advancements in environmentally sustainable extraction technologies, including ultrasound-assisted, microwave-assisted and pulsed electric field (PEF) techniques, as well as the integration of green solvents (i.e., ionic liquids (ILs) and deep eutectic solvents (DES)) and enzymes that address key limitations of conventional methods, such as high energy requirements, low scalability, and protein degradation. This review also examines innovative functionalization strategies, notably enzyme hydrolysis and nano- and micro-encapsulation systems. These approaches enhance the stability, bioavailability, compatibility and bioactivities of microalgal proteins in cosmetic formulations. By integrating insights into the high protein yields of industrially relevant microalgae species, their diverse biofunctional properties, and cutting-edge processing techniques, this review positions microalgal proteins as next-generation, sustainable ingredients poised to revolutionize the cosmetics industry. The synthesis of biological efficacy, green chemistry principles, and technological innovation underscores their potential to meet rising consumer demand for natural, non-toxic, and high-performance cosmetic solutions.
Ultrasound assisted interesterification for enhancing productivity of oxidative sensitive docosahexanoic acid -enriched medium-and-long chain triacylglycerol synthesis Evelyn Ling Lee, Lee Fong Siow, Cher Pin Song, Eng‐Seng Chan, Yong Wang, et al. JAOCS Journal of the American Oil Chemists Society, 2025 The synthesis of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)‐enriched medium‐ and long‐chain triacylglycerols (MLCT), particularly with DHA at the sn‐2 position and medium chain fatty acids (MCFA) at the sn‐1,3 positions, is a promising strategy to enhance DHA bioavailability. However, the synthesis of DHA‐enriched MLCTs is hindered by steric hindrance due to DHA's very long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. This study investigates the enzymatic interesterification of microalgae oil and medium chain triacylglycerols (MCT) using regio‐selective lipases with different typo‐selectivities. We evaluated the impact of interesterification conditions (substrate ratio, type of lipase, lipase loading, temperature and time) on MLCT yield, DHA distribution at sn‐2 and acyl migration. The optimal conditions, using 6% Rhizopus oryzae lipase at 50 °C for 8 h achieved a MLCT yield of 64.9% ± 0.4%, with 37.5% DHA at the sn‐2 position. In comparison, Rhizomucor miehei lipase produced a lower yield (49.5% ± 1.0%) but a higher DHA distribution at sn‐2 position (46.3% ± 0.2%). Given DHA's susceptibility to oxidation, we also integrated ultrasound (US) pre‐treatment with enzymatic interesterification to improve MLCT yield. Using 4% RO with US pre‐treatment (40% amplitude, 4 s on/6 s off duty cycle, 8 min) increased MLCT yield from 36.1% ± 0.4% to 42.0% ± 0.7% (p < 0.05), with a lower reaction temperature (30 °C) and shorter duration (4 h), without compromising oil quality and lipase activity. These findings emphasize the importance of lipase selection, acyl migration, and US pre‐treatment for enhancing oxidative sensitive DHA‐enriched MLCT production, offering applications in nutritional and functional food formulations.
Lipid feedstocks for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production via hydroprocessed esters and fatty acids (HEFA) pathway: Current status and challenges in quality … MY Liow, WZ Ng, CP Song, MY Chang, SH Adiiba, CS Chien, N Borhan, ... Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 236, 117006 , 2026 2026
Yarrowia lipolytica for microbial oil production: Lipid extraction technologies, quality assessment, and potential industrial applications Z Hu, KF Chen, CKS Singh, CP Song, W Gourich, ES Chan Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 232, 116804 , 2026 2026
The role of purification of enzymatic biodiesel from sludge palm oil in improving fuel properties, storage stability, engine performance, and exhaust gas emissions JM Loh, W Gourich, CP Song, CR Sarimuthu, K Nagalingam, WO Hong, ... Biomass and Bioenergy 208, 108903 , 2026 2026 Citations: 1
Harnessing microalgal proteins as sustainable bioactive ingredients for cosmetics: green extraction, functionalization, and advanced delivery systems S Sahadevan, MY Liow, CK Mahendra, WZ Ng, ES Chan, N Borhan, ... Phytochemistry Reviews, 1-69 , 2026 2026
Uncovering structure–property–function relationships of high-melting palm fats for cleaner material extrusion 3D printing DKH Chan, W Gourich, CP Song, CK Mahendra, DS Hasbi, ES Chan Bioresource Technology, 134235 , 2026 2026
Ultrasound-assisted extraction enhances recovery of antioxidant-rich carbohydrate fraction from mixed microalgae species EZH Ooi, ES Chan, CP Song, J Pushpamalar, YY Lee Ultrasonics Sonochemistry, 107656 , 2025 2025 Citations: 5
Enzymatic glycerolysis of simulated fatty acid methyl ester by-products for oleic-rich acylglycerol production using free and immobilised Candida antarctica lipase B CF Kam, SH Adiiba, MY Chang, CK Mahendra, W Gourich, CP Song, ... Journal of Molecular Liquids, 128368 , 2025 2025
Ultrasound assisted interesterification for enhancing productivity of oxidative sensitive docosahexanoic acid‐enriched medium‐and‐long chain triacylglycerol synthesis EL Lee, LF Siow, CP Song, ES Chan, Y Wang, Z Zhang, W Ke, MY Liow, ... Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society 102 (6), 1015-1028 , 2025 2025
Affordable CO2-derived alkyl carbamate ionic liquids boosting enzymatic production of renewable hydrocarbon fuels via Chlorella variabilis NC64A fatty acid photodecarboxylase … WZ Ng, ES Chan, MY Liow, CW Ooi, BT Tey, CP Song International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 305, 141187 , 2025 2025 Citations: 2
Exploring combi-lipase catalysis of Eversa® Transform and Candida rugosa lipases for enzymatic hydrolysis of crude palm oil: Effects on fatty acid yield and retention of … SH Adiiba, ES Chan, WZ Ng, CP Song International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 306, 141650 , 2025 2025 Citations: 2
Overcoming the equilibrium constraints in the enzymatic hydrolysis of methyl esters via a sequencing batch process to improve conversion into fatty acids W Gourich, CP Song, ES Chan Journal of Molecular Liquids 423, 127023 , 2025 2025 Citations: 2
Tripolyphosphate-chitosan-pea protein interactions confers long-term stability to 3D printed high internal phase Pickering emulsions CO Karandagaspitiya, CK Mahendra, HP Lim, DKH Chan, YS Tey, ... Food Chemistry 466, 142228 , 2025 2025 Citations: 12
Fatty acid esters of 3-monochloropropane-1, 2-diol and glycidol in palm oil: A review on current industrial-scale mitigation strategies, challenges and perspectives YH Ong, CP Song, WS Choo, YY Lee, KS Qua, WP Quek, ES Chan Food Research International 202, 115697 , 2025 2025 Citations: 5
Enhancing Enzymatic Biodiesel Production Using Low-Cost CO 2 -Based Alkyl Carbamate Ionic Liquid and Ultrasound-Assisted Intensification MY Liow, ES Chan, WZ Ng, CP Song ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering 13 (1), 68-79 , 2025 2025 Citations: 7
Unveiling the role of mechanical process intensifications and chemical additives in boosting lipase-catalyzed hydrolysis of vegetable oil for fatty acid production: A … WZ Ng, ES Chan, W Gourich, SH Adiiba, MY Liow, CW Ooi, BT Tey, ... International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 284, 138144 , 2025 2025 Citations: 10
Time-course kinetic model for the enzyme-limited hydrolysis of methyl esters elucidates the reaction mechanism and inhibition challenges for the production of fatty acids W Gourich, CP Song, YK Ho, ES Chan Journal of Molecular Liquids 414, 126054 , 2024 2024 Citations: 4
Stabilization of Eversa® Transform 2.0 lipase with sorbitol to enhance the efficiency of ultrasound-assisted biodiesel production MY Liow, ES Chan, WZ Ng, CP Song International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 276, 133817 , 2024 2024 Citations: 12
Experimental study of quaternary blends with diesel/palm-oil biodiesel/ethanol/diethyl ether for optimum performance and emissions in a light-duty diesel engine using response … JB Ooi, XL Chan, F Jaliliantabar, BT Tan, X Wang, CP Song, MC Chiong, ... Energy 301, 131782 , 2024 2024 Citations: 27
Enhancing efficiency of ultrasound-assisted biodiesel production catalyzed by Eversa® Transform 2.0 at low lipase concentration: Enzyme characterization and process optimization MY Liow, ES Chan, WZ Ng, CP Song International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 271, 132538 , 2024 2024 Citations: 18
Low-Cost CO 2 -Based Alkyl Carbamate Ionic Liquids for Accelerating Enzymatic Oil Hydrolysis WZ Ng, ES Chan, YS Tan, MY Liow, CW Ooi, BT Tey, CP Song ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering 12 (19), 7566-7577 , 2024 2024 Citations: 10
MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
Biodiesel production catalysed by low-cost liquid enzyme Eversa® Transform 2.0: Effect of free fatty acid content on lipase methanol tolerance and kinetic model MY Chang, ES Chan, CP Song Fuel 283, 119266 , 2021 2021 Citations: 128
Green, aqueous two-phase systems based on cholinium aminoate ionic liquids with tunable hydrophobicity and charge density CP Song, RN Ramanan, R Vijayaraghavan, DR MacFarlane, ES Chan, ... ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering 3 (12), 3291-3298 , 2015 2015 Citations: 84
Impact of high-pressure homogenization on the extractability and stability of phytochemicals SXM Yong, CP Song, WS Choo Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems 4, 593259 , 2021 2021 Citations: 76
Improved biodiesel production from sludge palm oil catalyzed by a low-cost liquid lipase under low-input process conditions JM Loh, W Gourich, CL Chew, CP Song, ES Chan Renewable Energy 177, 348-358 , 2021 2021 Citations: 61
Purification of lysozyme from chicken egg white using nanofiber membrane immobilized with Reactive Orange 4 dye IS Ng, CP Song, CW Ooi, BT Tey, YH Lee, YK Chang International journal of biological macromolecules 134, 458-468 , 2019 2019 Citations: 55
Towards rapid and sustainable synthesis of biodiesel: A review of effective parameters and scale-up potential of intensification technologies for enzymatic biodiesel production MY Liow, W Gourich, MY Chang, JM Loh, ES Chan, CP Song Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry 114, 1-18 , 2022 2022 Citations: 45
Techno-economic analysis of enzymatic biodiesel co-produced in palm oil mills from sludge palm oil for improving renewable energy access in rural areas WZ Ng, AA Obon, CL Lee, YH Ong, W Gourich, K Maran, DBY Tang, ... Energy 243, 122745 , 2022 2022 Citations: 39
Life cycle assessment on alginate-based nanocomposite beads for the removal of lead (II) from aqueous solutions CSC Chiew, W Gourich, P Pasbakhsh, PE Poh, BT Tey, CP Song, ... Journal of Water Process Engineering 45, 102531 , 2022 2022 Citations: 36
Adsorption and purification performance of lysozyme from chicken egg white using ion exchange nanofiber membrane modified by ethylene diamine and bromoacetic acid YK Chang, HI Cheng, CW Ooi, CP Song, BL Liu Food chemistry 358, 129914 , 2021 2021 Citations: 34
Antibacterial efficacy of poly (hexamethylene biguanide) immobilized on chitosan/dye-modified nanofiber membranes FX Xu, CW Ooi, BL Liu, CP Song, CY Chiu, CY Wang, YK Chang International journal of biological macromolecules 181, 508-520 , 2021 2021 Citations: 30
Perspective on enzymatic production of renewable hydrocarbon fuel using algal fatty acid photodecarboxylase from Chlorella variabilis NC64A: Potentials and limitations WZ Ng, ES Chan, W Gourich, CW Ooi, BT Tey, CP Song Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 184, 113548 , 2023 2023 Citations: 28
Life cycle benefits of enzymatic biodiesel co-produced in palm oil mills from sludge palm oil as renewable fuel for rural electrification W Gourich, ES Chan, WZ Ng, AA Obon, K Maran, YH Ong, CL Lee, J Tan, ... Applied Energy 325, 119928 , 2022 2022 Citations: 28
Experimental study of quaternary blends with diesel/palm-oil biodiesel/ethanol/diethyl ether for optimum performance and emissions in a light-duty diesel engine using response … JB Ooi, XL Chan, F Jaliliantabar, BT Tan, X Wang, CP Song, MC Chiong, ... Energy 301, 131782 , 2024 2024 Citations: 27
Environmentally Benign and Recyclable Aqueous Two-Phase System Composed of Distillable CO 2 -Based Alkyl Carbamate Ionic Liquids CP Song, QY Yap, MYA Chong, R Ramakrishnan Nagasundara, ... ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering 6 (8), 10344-10354 , 2018 2018 Citations: 26
The potential of palm bioenergy in achieving Malaysia's renewable energy target and climate ambition in line with the Paris Agreement W Gourich, CP Song, KS Qua, ES Chan Energy for Sustainable Development 76, 101296 , 2023 2023 Citations: 23
Effect of salt-based adjuvant on partition behaviour of protein in aqueous two-phase systems composed of polypropylene glycol and cholinium glycinate CP Song, RN Ramanan, R Vijayaraghavan, DR MacFarlane, ES Chan, ... Separation and Purification Technology 196, 281-286 , 2018 2018 Citations: 23
Purification of lysozyme from chicken egg white by high-density cation exchange adsorbents in stirred fluidized bed adsorption system PL Show, CW Ooi, CP Song, WS Chai, GT Lin, BL Liu, YK Chang Food chemistry 343, 128543 , 2021 2021 Citations: 19
Enhancing efficiency of ultrasound-assisted biodiesel production catalyzed by Eversa® Transform 2.0 at low lipase concentration: Enzyme characterization and process optimization MY Liow, ES Chan, WZ Ng, CP Song International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 271, 132538 , 2024 2024 Citations: 18
Retention of high-value tocols during enzymatic esterification of palm fatty acid distillate using liquid lipase for improving the economics and sustainability of biodiesel … Amelia, CP Song, MY Chang, SH Adiiba, ES Chan Industrial Crops and Products 194, 116271 , 2023 2023 Citations: 17
