Bioactive Compounds and Chemodiversity in Tropical Brown Macroalgae: Insights from Padina, Sargassum, and Turbinaria

Abstract

Despite the extensive efforts made to isolate and identify novel compounds with potential medicinal, health, or pharmaceutical applications, very few compounds are available to use with real potency. Seaweeds are macroscopic and multicellular marine algae that provide essential sources of bioactive metabolites in the health, pharmaceutical, and other industries. Bioactive compounds from seaweeds include sulfated polysaccharides, phlorotannins, and diterpenes. These compounds have been reported with profound anti-viral, anti-proliferative, and anti-cancer properties. The present mini review elaborates on the pharmaceutical, health, and research potentials of different bioactive compounds produced by the tropical brown seaweeds (Phaeophyta) from the genera Padina, Sargassum, and Turbinaria.