Recent progress in marine algae research: bridging biodiversity with pharmaceutical potential

The natural product chemistry of marine organisms has received substantial attention during recent years as a promising and new area of study. Among these, marine algae or seaweeds have proven to be a rich source of structurally diverse bioactive compounds with valuable food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical potential. Marine algae are still considered as under-exploited plant resources, although they have long been used in food diets as well as for traditional remedies in Asian countries. So far, numerous bioactive metabolites such as polysaccharides, phlorotannins, carotenoids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, peptides, terpenoids, and alkaloids have been isolated and evaluated for their pharmacological properties. Marine algae also possess a reasonable quantity of polyamines, but the importance of polyamines for the development of dietary ingredients has yet to be explored. The significance of marine algae as a source of functional food ingredients is well recognized due to their valuable beneficial health effects, including antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, photoprotective, anticancer, antiobesity, antiviral, antiplasmodial, and antihypersensitive activities. In considering these significant benefits, marine algae could be a valuable resource to meet future food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical demands. The aim of this chapter is to update the available scientific information on bioactive metabolites and value-added products from marine macroalgae with the most significant activities.

Soybean Versus Marine Fats: New Fuel to an Ongoing Debate Fishing for Evidence.

Simple SummaryThe nutritional quality of fat for human consumption is usually evaluated in terms of the n-6/n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) ratio (with optimal values ≤4). Moreover, with respect to animal production, the standard feed is unbalanced in terms of n-6/n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) with a lower proportion of the latter. Such discrepancy negatively affects the health status of animals, the productive and reproductive performances, and the general quality of their products. Hence, n-3 PUFA intake should be promoted. The increase in n-3 PUFA proportions in animal products would also be in accordance with the human dietary recommendations that often focus on the need of increasing the intake of long-chain n-3 PUFAs. In this regard, two main strategies could be implemented, namely to furnish precursor (α-linolenic acid) or long-chain derivatives (eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids). In the present review, the effects of different n-3 PUFA sources on biological activity, physiological/reproductive endpoints, and health implications are compared focusing on the most recent results obtained in the rabbit.This review compares the effects of different n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) sources on biological activity, physiological/reproductive endpoints, and health implications with a special emphasis on a rabbit case study. Linoleic acid (LA) and α-linolenic acid (ALA) are members of two classes of PUFAs, namely the n-6 and n-3 series, which are required for normal human health. Both are considered precursors of a cascade of molecules (eicosanoids), which take part in many biological processes (inflammation, vasoconstriction/vasodilation, thromboregulation, etc.). However, their biological functions are opposite and are mainly related to the form (precursor or long-chain products) in which they were administered and to the enzyme–substrate preference. ALA is widely present in common vegetable oils and foods, marine algae, and natural herbs, whereas its long-chain PUFA derivatives are available mainly in fish and animal product origins. Recent studies have shown that the accumulation of n-3 PUFAs seems mostly to be tissue-dependent and acts in a tissue-selective manner. Furthermore, dietary n-3 PUFAs widely affect the lipid oxidation susceptibility of all tissues. In conclusion, sustainable sources of n-3 PUFAs are limited and exert a different effect about (1) the form in which they are administered, precursor or derivatives; (2) their antioxidant protections; and (3) the purpose to be achieved (health improvement, physiological and reproductive traits, metabolic pathways, etc.).

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), in particular the marine-derived forms eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, have been touted as natural, multipotent treatments for a wide variety of disease conditions. Interest...

Seaweed grows and reproduces in intertidal and subtidal regions where photosynthesis is possible due to the available lighting. Marine macroalgae are classified into three main groups according to their pigment content: red algae (Rhodophyceae), green algae (Chlorophyceae), and brown algae (Phaeophyceae). They are becoming a valuable resource and are distinguished by their rapid growth capacity with high nutritional value. Red algae contain a wide variety of biochemical substances, including: phenolics, polysaccharides, proteins bromophenols, pigments, low amounts of fatty acids, and they are essentially the only species capable of producing long-chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFAs), vitamins specially B12, minerals. Those compounds have anti-tumor, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiviral properties. Additionally, seaweeds have an excellent nutritional profile highly supplying macro and micro nutrients; thus, they can be used as food in diets. They can also be an essential source of novel pharmaceutical and therapeutic compounds. This review summarizes the potential of the bioactive substances obtained from diverse red seaweeds around the world, which are expected to be promising components for application in the medical industry. The pharmaceutical industry could use red seaweeds to prevent or treat several illnesses, including: cancer, obesity, and other chronic diseases, as their medicinal benefits are considerably more intriguing than their purely nutritional advantages. Novel natural drugs developed from algae could act as alternatives for artificial substances in the future.

Dietary hempseed reduces platelet aggregation.

Marine algae have been known to produce secondary metabolites used in the pharmaceutical industry to treat various human diseases. This study embarked on the isolation of microbes associated with the marine algae and explores their potential as sources of antimicrobial agents that can be used in the production of drugs to treat the emerging and re-merging resistant human pathogens. The associated microbes that is, endophytes and epiphytes were isolated from different red, green and brown marine algae species which were collected from Mkomani Island in Mombasa Kenya. Eight hundred and thirty isolates were isolated of which three hundred and six were endophytes while five hundred and twenty four were epiphytes. Antimicrobial screening showed that two hundred and thirty isolates (28%) exhibited antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25922, Escherichia Coli ATCC 25923 and Candida albicans ATCC 90028. Most isolates showed inhibition activity against Escherichia Coli (47%). Inhibition against Candida albicans was 33% whereas for Staphylococcus aureus was 21%. The results reveal that marine algae harbor microbes that are potential producers of antimicrobial compounds that need to be investigated further for their pharmaceutical and biotechnological potential.

Influence and Mechanisms of Maternal and Infant Diets on the Development of Childhood Asthma

Comparative study between two red algae for biosynthesis silver nanoparticles capping by SDS: Insights of characterization and antibacterial activity

Chapter 22 - Fatty acids in meat: effects on nutritional value and meat quality

Objectives To review red algae bioactive compounds and their pharmaceutical applications. Content Seaweed sources are becoming attractive to be used in health and therapeutics. Among these red algae is the largest group containing bioactive compounds utilized in cosmetic, pharmaceutical, food industry, manure and various supplements in food formula. Various significant bioactive compounds such as polysaccharides (aginate, agar, and carrageenan), lipids and polyphenols, steroids, glycosides, flavanoids, tannins, saponins, alkaloids, triterpenoids, antheraquinones and cardiac glycosides have been reported in red algae. The red algae have rich nutritional components Different polysaccharides of red algae possess the antiviral potential namely agarans, carrageenan, alginate, fucan, laminaran and naviculan. Sulfated polysaccharides and carraginans of red algae are rich source of soluble fibers which can account for antitumor activities depending upon chemistry of various secondary metabolites and metabolism of cell line. Flavons-3-ols containing catechins from many red algae block the telomerase activity in colon cancer cells. Contraceptive agents were tested from red algae as a source for post-coital. Lectin of red algae showed pro-healing properties and anti-ulcerogenic activities. Carragenates from red algae also conferred a positive influence on diabetes. Red algae depicted a reducing effect on plasma lipids and obesity. Porphyran from red alga can act as anti-hyperlipidemic agent also reduces the apolipoprotein B100 via suppression of lipid synthesis in human liver. Summary The polyphenolic extracts of Laurencia undulate, Melanothamnus afaqhusainii and Solieria robusta extract show anti-inflammatory effects against multiple genera of devastating fungi. Antioxidants such as phlorotannins, ascorbic acids, tocopherols, carotenoids from red algae showed toxicity on some cancer cells without side effects. Red algae Laurencia nipponica was found insecticidal against mosquito larvae. Red algae fibers are very important in laxative and purgative activities. Gracilaria tenuistipitat resisted in agricultural lands polluted with cadmium and copper. Outlook In the recent decades biotechnological applications of red algae has been increased. Polysaccharides derived from red algae are important tool for formulation of drugs delivery system via nanotechnology.

Comparative studies on the nutrition of two species of abalone, Haliotis tuberculata L. and Haliotis discus hannai Ino. V. The role of polyunsaturated fatty acids of macroalgae in abalone nutrition

Milk fat depression induced by dietary marine algae in dairy ewes: Persistency of milk fatty acid composition and animal performance responses

Differential effects of steroids on the synthesis of polyunsaturated fatty acids by human neuroblastoma cells

The rapidly warming Arctic, exceeding global averages, experiences heightened macroalgal growth in high Arctic fjords due to rising seawater temperatures and reduced sea ice. However, uncertainties surround the consequences of climate-induced changes in the carbon cycle resulting from extensive macroalgal growth and increased carbon flux dynamics in these fjords. This study examines the fate of macroalgal-derived fatty acids (Saturated Fatty Acid: SFA, Monounsaturated Fatty Acids: MUFA and Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids: PUFA) across Kongsfjorden and Krossfjorden (Ny-Alesund) in response to Arctic amplification. For this study, dominant brown, green, and red macroalgal species (n=20), along with sediment samples (n=18) across the fjords, were collected during summer 2022. Brown algae dominated with the highest average fatty acid concentration 435.72 ±534.14 μg/g, while red and green algae had lower concentrations 72.84 ±52.75 μg/g and 90.25 ± 84.67 μg/g, respectively. Brown algae exhibited a concentration trend of SFA>MUFA>PUFA, while green and red showed SFA>PUFA>MUFA. The primary PUFA in these algae were n-C18 and n-C20, and filamentous growth forms exhibited higher levels compared to thallus or short/dwarf forms in green and red algae. However, brown algae, except for the genus Chorda, did not exhibit clear trends for these compounds. The distinct phylogenetic position of brown algae from red and green algae likely accounts for these divergent patterns. The filamentous form having the highest concentration of fatty acids could result from increased resistance to degradation, attributed to their minimized surface-to-volume ratio. Macroalgal species outside their natural habitat (ex-situ) had higher PUFA, MUFA, and SFA concentrations, likely due to unfavourable conditions of growth in intertidal regions, suggesting enhanced adaptation for growth across the arctic fjords. While in the sediments, a significant (~50%) reduction in the PUFA and MUFA fraction concerning SFA was observed. The transport of the algal material was more towards the outer fjord and was possibly favoured by glacial melting and runoff activities. The decrease in fatty acids derived from algae, coupled with the presence of iso- and anteiso- branched-chain fatty acids, implies limited residence and faster turnover of algal matter into intermediate metabolites by microorganisms, possibly bacteria. Such observation suggests a potential release of carbon fluxes into the atmosphere through degradation of lipids, and contributing to a negative trend in the macroalgal-induced carbon storage in fjords.