Cyanobacteria and their uses

Abstract

Cyanobacteria or blue green algae are gram negative photosynthetic autotrophic prokaryotes. They are most primitive organisms which started to perform oxygen producing photosynthesis processes on this earth. Cyanobacteria are most successful, self-dependent organisms on this earth, survived for more than 3 billion years in almost all climatic conditions of earth. They may be unicellular, colonial or filamentous, fresh water or marine or terrestrial or even also epiphytic. Cyanobacterial colonies are generally surrounded with a gelatinous sheath. They added oxygen in earth’s atmosphere during early period of evolution of life. Their reserve food material is cyanophycean starch and protein. Bluegreen algae or Cyanobacteria are capable of converting atmospheric nitrogen into ammonium compounds. These organisms play very important role in ecosystem of earth and are very useful for us. Cyanobacteria are good source of energy, food and diet supplement, source of vitamins, minerals, with wide range of medicinal properties like potential antioxidants, immunomodulators, and even antitubercular, anticancer agents, source of bio fuels, bio fertilizer and bio herbicide, algaecide and pesticide. So well-studied and proper use of Cyanobacteria may act as boon for all organisms on this earth