Genoprotection and metabolic benefits of marine macroalgae - Insights into the concept of functional foods through direct and indirect consumption

Abstract

The consumption of marine macroalgae has been linked with health benefits, albeit some actions, including genoprotection, remain underexplored. Hence, we evaluated the genoprotective potential of a mixture of Ulva rigida, Fucus vesiculosus and Gracilaria gracilis, through direct consumption or via indirect intake using fish (Sparus aurata) as a vector of algal phytocompounds. Mice (Mus musculus) were subjected to a 1-month dietary supplementation with 5% of macroalgae mix or 10% of fillet of fish previously fed with an algae-supplemented aquafeed (for comparison purposes, 10% supplementation with fillet of fish standardly fed was also considered). Thereafter, mice were challenged by the genotoxicant methyl methanesulfonate (MMS), and the genetic damage was evaluated through the micronuclei test. Complementarily, a wider evaluation was carried out encompassing the assessment of energy metabolism, haematological and histological parameters, as well as growth performance. Macroalgae unequivocally protected against MMS-induced genotoxicity. The activity profile of hepatic lactate and isocitrate dehydrogenases promoted by the supplemented diets reflected an improved energy balance. Genoprotection properties were not transferred via fish fed with the algae-supplemented aquafeed, though the transference of phytocomponents with beneficial properties (viz. energy balance improvement) should not be disregarded. Overall, these findings highlighted the genoprotection afforded by marine macroalgae, likely promoted by desmutagenic factors, reinforcing their definition as functional food. The possibility of using fish as an indirect source of algae-borne phytocomponents proved to be plausible and worthy of further investigations.