Abstract
In the recent decades, algae have proven to be a source of different bioactive compounds with biological activities, which has increased the potential application of these organisms in food, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, animal feed, and other industrial sectors. On the other hand, there is a growing interest in developing effective strategies for control and/or eradication of invasive algae since they have a negative impact on marine ecosystems and in the economy of the affected zones. However, the application of control measures is usually time and resource-consuming and not profitable. Considering this context, the valorization of invasive algae species as a source of bioactive compounds for industrial applications could be a suitable strategy to reduce their population, obtaining both environmental and economic benefits. To carry out this practice, it is necessary to evaluate the chemical and the nutritional composition of the algae as well as the most efficient methods of extracting the compounds of interest. In the case of northwest Spain, five algae species are considered invasive: Asparagopsis armata, Codium fragile, Gracilaria vermiculophylla, Sargassum muticum, and Grateulopia turuturu. This review presents a brief description of their main bioactive compounds, biological activities, and extraction systems employed for their recovery. In addition, evidence of their beneficial properties and the possibility of use them as supplement in diets of aquaculture animals was collected to illustrate one of their possible applications.
Highlights
Invasive alien species (IAS), known as exotic or non-native species, are plants or animals that have been introduced, intentionally or not, into regions where it is not usual to find them [1,2]
The results showed that the formulation increased the survival rate in presence of Vibrio parahaemolyticus and reduced the food contamination caused by fungus [144]
According to the compiled studies, Asparagopsis armata, Codium fragile subs. tomentosoides, Grateloupia turuturu, Sargassum muticum, and Gracilaria vermiculophylla can be considered as alternative sources of bioactive compounds which could be further used for industrial applications
Summary
Invasive alien species (IAS), known as exotic or non-native species, are plants or animals that have been introduced, intentionally or not, into regions where it is not usual to find them [1,2]. IAS usually present high growth and reproduction rates, the ability to prosper in different environments, the capacity to use several food sources, and the ability to tolerate a wide range of environmental conditions All these factors, along with the lack of natural predators, make these organisms more difficult to control and allow them to succeed in colonizing new ecosystems [3,4]. The presence of invasive macroalgae in the northwestern marine areas of Spain has become a common problem due to growing globalization, climate change, aquaculture, fisheries, and marine tourism [8] Their proliferation could offer new opportunities since the recovery of the algal biomass and their novel applications in different economic sectors could increase their added value. The aim of the present work is to summarize the existing knowledge about the bioactive compounds of the principal invasive species affecting the Galician coasts (northwest Spain)
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