Potencial biotecnológico de las microalgas como biofertilizantes para mitigar el estrés salino en cultivos

Rosa Sarahi González Sarmiento; Israel Osuna Flores; Arturo Rafael Armenta López

doi:10.32351/rca.v11.430

Authors

Rosa Sarahi González Sarmiento Universidad Autónoma Indígena de México https://orcid.org/0009-0009-1248-1829
Israel Osuna Flores Universidad Autónoma Indígena de México https://orcid.org/0009-0001-0199-2983
Arturo Rafael Armenta López Universidad Autónoma Indígena de México https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7417-3121

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32351/rca.v11.430

Política de Crossmark DOI: https://doi.org/10.32351/politica-crossmark

Keywords:

microalgae, biofertilizers, biostimulants, saline stress, sustainable agriculture, biotechnology

Abstract

Soil salinization limits global agricultural productivity by affecting growth, nutrient uptake, and crop yield. Microalgae have emerged as a sustainable biotechnological alternative due to their ability to act as biofertilizers and biostimulants. These photosynthetic microorganisms produce phytohormones, amino acids, polysaccharides, and antioxidants that promote plant growth and increase tolerance to saline stress. The objective of this scoping review is to synthesize the available evidence on the potential of microalgae as biofertilizers in crops under salinity, describing their mechanisms of action, most used species, application methods, advantages, limitations, and future perspectives. The collected evidence shows that genera such as Chlorella, Scenedesmus, Dunaliella, Arthrospira, and several cyanobacteria improve nutritional efficiency, increase antioxidant activity, promote ionic balance, and reduce oxidative damage induced by excess salts. Reported applications increase crop yields between 10% and 40%, while nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria can contribute up to 30 kg N ha⁻¹ season⁻¹. Recent molecular studies indicate that microalgal biostimulants regulate the expression of stress-responsive genes, improve osmolyte biosynthesis, and enhance the detoxification of reactive oxygen species. However, important challenges persist regarding formulation standardization, industrial scalability, and the detailed understanding of their molecular mechanisms of action.

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Author Biographies

Rosa Sarahi González Sarmiento, Universidad Autónoma Indígena de México

Student in the online Biotechnology Engineering program at the Autonomous Indigenous University of Mexico (UAIM). Her academic interests focus on the study of microalgae and their biotechnological applications in agriculture, with a particular interest in developing sustainable alternatives to improve agricultural productivity and contribute to environmental conservation. She is currently pursuing professional training, strengthening her knowledge and skills in biotechnology to contribute to the development of innovative solutions for the agricultural sector.
Israel Osuna Flores, Universidad Autónoma Indígena de México

Is currently a Professor-Researcher at the Autonomous Indigenous University of Mexico (UNAM), affiliated with the Biotechnology Engineering Program at both the Virtual Unit and the Mochicahui Unit. He recently received an honorary doctorate from the International Organization for Inclusion and Quality Education (OIICE). He has held various positions, including Administrative Analyst and Reviewer at the National Aquaculture and Fisheries Commission; advisor to the company Acuícola Gilberto, S.C. de C.V., R.L.; and columnist for the online newspaper Phoenix Medios. He is currently the Coordinator of the Biotechnology Engineering Program (Virtual Unit) at UNAM. He teaches courses in Biology, Social and Solidarity Economy, Introduction to Biotechnology, Community Engagement Awareness, and Information Management Tools. He was Coordinator of the Projects Department at the Technology Transfer Office of the Autonomous Indigenous University of Mexico and is a member of the Sinaloa System of Researchers and Technologists. He has also been a Professor-Researcher at the same institution, where he taught courses in the Bachelor's Degree in Forestry Engineering and Sustainable Development (Forest Entomology, Biodiversity, Thesis Seminar, Environmental Projection, and Project Formulation and Evaluation), as well as in the Graduate Program in Sciences in Sustainable Development of Natural Resources (Aquaculture Production, Environmental Pollution, and Ecotoxicology). He has directed and advised two undergraduate theses and monographs and three graduate theses and dissertations. He was a member of the Academic Group on Sustainable Development. His research experience focuses on adding value to agroforestry products, pollution, and environmental toxicology. He has published articles in JCR-indexed, peer-reviewed, and popular science journals. In addition, he participates in various scientific societies and has served as a project evaluator at events such as the Pacific Regional Science Fair and the National Science Fair. He was a member of the National System of Researchers (SNI) as a Candidate from July 2002 to December 2005 and received recognition from the CONACYT Repatriation Program in 1999. His professional experience includes leading several research and outreach projects funded by COSNET and SECIHTI, as well as holding various academic and administrative positions, including: Head of the Toxic Waste Laboratory at the Center for Research in Food and Development, A.C. (Delicias Unit), and Director of Research at the Autonomous Indigenous University of Mexico (UNAM). He has been a candidate for Rector of UNAM in Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico, on three occasions (2017, 2021, and 2025). He has also worked at the National Technological Institute of Mexico (Los Mochis Campus), the University of the Sea, the Autonomous University of the West, the University of Guadalajara and the Center for Research in Food and Development, A.C. (Delicias Unit), where he has developed research projects and taught courses related to Fisheries Biology, Fisheries Technology, Ecology, Zoology, Aquaculture, Environmental Toxicology and Ecotoxicology.
Arturo Rafael Armenta López, Universidad Autónoma Indígena de México

Is an Agricultural Engineer specializing in Plant Protection. He holds a Master's and a Doctorate in Agricultural Sciences from the Autonomous University of Sinaloa. He has served as a Visiting Professor at the Autonomous Indigenous University of Mexico, in the Virtual Unit, within the Biotechnology Engineering program. He is currently a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Interdisciplinary Research Center for Regional Integral Development (CIIDIR), Guasave Unit, belonging to the National Polytechnic Institute. His academic and scientific work focuses on the biological and agricultural sciences, with an emphasis on agricultural biotechnology, an area in which he has published several scientific articles.

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