Use of Kappaphycus alvarezii for the production of biotechnological products: A review of patents issued in the last 22 years (2002 2024)

Kappaphycus alvarezii is cultivated globally and has attracted substantial scientific interest due to its rich chemical composition. Although systematic reviews on this species exist, analyses of patents demonstrating its industrial applicability remain scarce, leaving this field largely underexplored. This study examines patents published between 2002 and 2024 and identifies 93 documents, of which 73 detail applications directly related to product development. A gradual increase in patents has been observed in recent years, with a peak in 2022 (n = 17) followed by declines in 2023 (n = 8) and 2024 (n = 1). China and the United States are the most represented countries, with 30 and 15 patents, respectively. The cosmetics sector dominates (n = 39; 53%), followed by general industry, agriculture, food, and pharmaceuticals. Notable applications include moisturizing and anti-aging formulations (cosmetics), biofertilizers and biostimulants (agriculture), biofilms and bioplastics (general industry), and diverse uses as a functional ingredient. Overall, this review highlights the expanding use of K. alvarezii across multiple industrial sectors and underscores its potential as an innovative biological resource due to its chemical complexity. These findings provide a foundation to guide future research and industrial applications involving this macroalga.