The roles of phytohormones in metal stress regulation in microalgae

The constant spread of heavy metal contamination creates an increasing global environmental issue that results in considerable deterioration of land and water ecosystems leading to a decline in the health of plants, animals and humans. Novel, algal-based filtration technologies have been gaining a great deal of attention given their eco-friendly, effective and easy to implement processes. This review focuses on the potential roles that phytohormones can play in heavy metal stress response in microalgae. It emphasizes phytohormone efficiency and proposes the use of these signaling molecules for enhanced metal stress alleviation in microalgae. Furthermore, future implications for algal-based filtration technologies involving modifications of phytohormone metabolism towards improved heavy metal biodegradation rates are presented.