Physicochemical Properties and Liposomal Formulations of Hydrolysate Fractions of Four Sea Cucumbers (Holothuroidea: Echinodermata) from the Northwestern Algerian Coast.

Asmaa Mecheta,Emilie Velot,Elmira Arab-Tehrany,Carole Jeandel,Michel Linder,Amine Hanachi,Arnaud Bianchi,Karim Mezali

doi:10.3390/molecules25132972

Abstract

To promote the nutritional and pharmacological values of four sea cucumber species (Holothuria poli, H. tubulosa, H. arguinensis, and H. sanctori), harvested from the Algerian coast, we aimed to study their proximate composition, fatty acid profile and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity. Their phospholipids were also used to elaborate nanoliposomes and to encapsulate peptides obtained from the same source. After the physico-chemical characterization of nanoliposomes and peptides, in vitro analyses were realized. The four holothurian species showed a high amount of protein (49.26–69.34%), and an impressive lipid profile of 27 fatty acids, mainly composed of polar fatty acids (91.16–93.85%), with a high polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) content (50.90–71.80%), particularly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) (5.07–8.76%) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (4.86–7.25%). A high phospholipids amount was also found (55.20–69.85%), mainly composed of phosphatidylcholine (PC) (51.48–58.56%). Their peptide fractions exhibited a high ACE inhibitory activity (IC50 0.30 to 0.51 mg/mL). The results also showed that the nanoliposomes do not induce cytotoxicity and cell death in human MSCs and no perturbation of proliferation for all the times and the tested concentrations, as well as the combined nanoliposomes and hydrolysates (HTS) at a concentration of 0.1 mg/mL. All four sea cucumbers show potential as a new source for omega-3, omega-6, and bioactive peptides.

Highlights

Marine organisms-based products have attracted special attention due to their pharmacological potential related to their secondary metabolites [1,2,3]
This study revealed that the four Mediterranean sea cucumber species (Holothuria poli, Holothuria tubulosa, Holothuria arguinensis, and Holothuria sanctori) collected from three sampling sites on the Algerian west coast, have a high nutritional and pharmacological values and could be new attractive sources of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) (5.07–8.76%), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (4.86–7.25%), phospholipids (55.20–69.85%), and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory peptides (IC50 ) (0.30 to 0.51 mg/mL)
As the omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids of sea cucumbers are obtained in a significant amount and susceptible to oxidation, proper handling of the sea cucumbers should be done to keep them fresh until consumed

Summary

Introduction

Marine organisms-based products have attracted special attention due to their pharmacological potential related to their secondary metabolites [1,2,3]. (2) fucan sulfates [5]; (3) polysaccharides [6]; (4) triterpene glycosides (saponins) [7] These four biomolecule types have applications in the pharmaceutical industry due to their broad panel of bioactivities, such as antibacterial, antifungal, antiprotozoal, anti-inflammatory, anticoagulant, antitumor, antioxidant, and antiviral activities [8,9,10]; (5) long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) that play an essential role in metabolic activities [11], coronary heart diseases, arthritis, wound healing, and blood clotting [12,13,14], and (6) peptides [15] which exhibit angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition [16,17,18]. Liposomes can carry both hydrophilic and hydrophobic components [24] This allows them to encapsulate both polar and non-polar amino acids from low molecular weight protein hydrolysates [23]. Liposomes protect proteins from stomach acids and gastric protease, pepsin, and enzymes such as trypsin and chymotrypsin in the small intestine [23]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion