Bioactive properties of brown seaweed, Sargassum wightii and its nutritional, therapeutic potential and health benefits: A review

Abstract

Seaweed, Sargassum wightii is a brown macroalgae (Phaeophyceae) rich in bioactive compounds such as fucoxanthin, flavonoids, sterols, sulfated polysaccharides, polyphenols, proteins and beta-carotene pigments. The purpose of the present review is to focus and discuss the usefulness of bioactive compounds of S. wightii to humans and animals as they exhibit diverse therapeutic activities like analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-cancer, anti-microbial, anti-tumor, immune-modulatory, anti-coagulant, hepatoprotective, anti-viral activities, etc. The present review clarifies the nutritional, therapeutic potential and health benefits of brown seaweed algae. Nowadays, attention is being paid on the use of seaweeds for human health, food, cosmetics, energy, fertilizer and in the field of aquaculture, poultry and other industries due to their nutritive value. It is being utilized in the wastewater treatments to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus-containing compounds. This review is an attempt to highlight the nutritional and commercial value of Sargassum wightii, due to its bioactive compounds related to health status and disease prevention in humans and animals. Key words: Bioactive compounds, Phaeophyceae, Seaweeds, Sargassum wightii