The present invention relates to an algal fiber material comprising at least one metal ion selected from the group consisting of copper, iron, manganese, potassium, silver, nickel, zinc, cadmium and combinations thereof, wherein said algal fiber is used for personal care or other consumer product applications selected from antimicrobial activity, odor removal, gas removal, and combinations thereof. The present invention also relates to substrates such as a nonwoven comprising an algal biomass fiber material comprising at least one metal ion selected from the group consisting of copper, iron, manganese, potassium, silver, nickel, zinc, cadmium and combinations thereof, wherein said metal-laden algal biomass fiber is present in an amount of from about 1% to about 30%, by weight of the substrate.
