Algae have long held economic importance as sources of fertilizer, feed, food, and pharmaceuticals, including promising antiviral applications. This review examines over 50 years of developments in algae-based antivirals, analyzing 920 references, 16 clinical trials, and 84 patents. Key algae, molecules (e.g., carrageenan, cyanovirin, griffithsin), and viruses shaping the field are highlighted. While some applications are already commercialized, the broad antiviral potential of algae suggests significant future growth.
