Bioactive metabolites and value-added products from marine macroalgae

Abstract

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.