Abstract: Compared with other microalgae, the edible algae as a new resource is rich in protein, algal polysaccharides, lipids, astaxanthin and carotenoids and other active substances. Therefore, it is of great significance to understand the new resource food algae active substance and its application in food health. This article mainly focuses on four types of microalgae: Haematococcus pluvialis, Dunaliella salina, Euglena, and Chlorella vulgaris, which can be used as new resource foods, to explain the components, extraction methods and applications of microalgae physiologically active substances and their applications and the development status in medicine, health care and food, as well as the expectations for the future, aim to provide a reference for scholars to study algae as a new resource food.