Research

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16 pages, 2710 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Extraction of Astaxanthin and Lutein from Microalga Haematococcus pluvialis in the Red Phase Using CO₂ Supercritical Fluid Extraction Technology with Ethanol as Co-Solvent

by Antonio Molino, Sanjeet Mehariya, Angela Iovine, Vincenzo Larocca, Giuseppe Di Sanzo, Maria Martino, Patrizia Casella, Simeone Chianese and Dino Musmarra

Mar. Drugs 2018, 16(11), 432; https://doi.org/10.3390/md16110432 - 03 Nov 2018

Cited by 100 | Viewed by 6722

Abstract

Astaxanthin and lutein, antioxidants used in nutraceutics and cosmetics, can be extracted from several microalgal species. In this work, investigations on astaxanthin and lutein extraction from Haematococcus pluvialis (H. pluvialis) in the red phase were carried out by means of the [...] Read more.

Astaxanthin and lutein, antioxidants used in nutraceutics and cosmetics, can be extracted from several microalgal species. In this work, investigations on astaxanthin and lutein extraction from Haematococcus pluvialis (H. pluvialis) in the red phase were carried out by means of the supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) technique, in which CO₂ supercritical fluid was used as the extracting solvent with ethanol as the co-solvent. The experimental activity was performed using a bench-scale reactor in semi-batch configuration with varying extraction times (20, 40, 60, and 80 min), temperatures (50, 65, and 80 °C) and pressures (100, 400, and 550 bar). Moreover, the performance of CO₂ SFE with ethanol was compared to that without ethanol. The results show that the highest astaxanthin and lutein recoveries were found at 65 °C and 550 bar, with ~18.5 mg/g dry weight (~92%) astaxanthin and ~7.15 mg/g dry weight (~93%) lutein. The highest astaxanthin purity and the highest lutein purity were found at 80 °C and 400 bar, and at 65 °C and 550 bar, respectively. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Health Compounds: From Extraction to Food and Pharmaceutical Application)

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21 pages, 697 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Seasonal Variability of the Biochemical Composition and Antioxidant Properties of Fucus spiralis at Two Azorean Islands

by Lisete Paiva, Elisabete Lima, Ana Isabel Neto and José Baptista

Mar. Drugs 2018, 16(8), 248; https://doi.org/10.3390/md16080248 - 26 Jul 2018

Cited by 42 | Viewed by 4014

Abstract

This study evaluates, for the first time, the seasonal (winter and summer) and geographical (São Miguel–SMG and Santa Maria–SMA Islands) variability of Fucus spiralis (Fs) biochemical composition (dry weight basis) and antioxidant properties. Protein and carbohydrates presented higher values in Fs-SMG_winter, [...] Read more.

This study evaluates, for the first time, the seasonal (winter and summer) and geographical (São Miguel–SMG and Santa Maria–SMA Islands) variability of Fucus spiralis (Fs) biochemical composition (dry weight basis) and antioxidant properties. Protein and carbohydrates presented higher values in Fs-SMG_winter, lipids, total dietary fiber, and energy value in Fs-SMA_summer, and ash and soluble dietary fiber/insoluble dietary fiber ratio in Fs-SMA_winter. The fatty acid (FA) profiles showed a lower SFA in Fs-SMG_summer, whereas MUFA and PUFA presented higher values in Fs-SMG_summer and Fs-SMG_winter, respectively. Excellent dietary ratios of n6/n3 PUFA and hypocholesterolemic/hypercholesterolemic FA were found, with lower values in Fs-SMA_winter and higher in Fs-SMG_summer, respectively. The highest total phenolics was found in Fs-SMA_summer acetone:water extract and total flavonoids showed the higher value in Fs-SMG_winter methanol extract. The best free radical-scavenging activity was observed in the Fs-SMA_winter methanol (EC₅₀ = 0.045 mg/mL) and acetone:water (EC₅₀ = 0.059 mg/mL) extracts. The ferric-reducing antioxidant power showed the best results in Fs-SMA_winter methanol extract (EC₅₀ = 0.016 mg/mL) and Fs-SMA_summer acetone:water extract (EC₅₀ = 0.017 mg/mL). The best ferrous ion-chelating activity was found in Fs-SMG_winter acetone:water extract. Overall, results revealed that F. spiralis nutritional and functional bioactivity values have geographical and seasonal variations and that its regular consumption may add benefits to human health. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Health Compounds: From Extraction to Food and Pharmaceutical Application)

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13 pages, 1962 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Dietary Supplementation with a Magnesium-Rich Marine Mineral Blend Enhances the Diversity of Gastrointestinal Microbiota

by Erin K. Crowley, Caitriona M. Long-Smith, Amy Murphy, Elaine Patterson, Kiera Murphy, Denise M. O’Gorman, Catherine Stanton and Yvonne M. Nolan

Mar. Drugs 2018, 16(6), 216; https://doi.org/10.3390/md16060216 - 20 Jun 2018

Cited by 37 | Viewed by 9362

Abstract

Accumulating evidence demonstrates that dietary supplementation with functional food ingredients play a role in systemic and brain health as well as in healthy ageing. Conversely, deficiencies in calcium and magnesium as a result of the increasing prevalence of a high fat/high sugar “Western [...] Read more.

Accumulating evidence demonstrates that dietary supplementation with functional food ingredients play a role in systemic and brain health as well as in healthy ageing. Conversely, deficiencies in calcium and magnesium as a result of the increasing prevalence of a high fat/high sugar “Western diet” have been associated with health problems such as obesity, inflammatory bowel diseases, and cardiovascular diseases, as well as metabolic, immune, and psychiatric disorders. It is now recognized that modulating the diversity of gut microbiota, the population of intestinal bacteria, through dietary intervention can significantly impact upon gut health as well as systemic and brain health. In the current study, we show that supplementation with a seaweed and seawater-derived functional food ingredient rich in bioactive calcium and magnesium (0.1% supplementation) as well as 70 other trace elements, significantly enhanced the gut microbial diversity in adult male rats. Given the significant impact of gut microbiota on health, these results position this marine multi-mineral blend (MMB) as a promising digestive-health promoting functional food ingredient. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Health Compounds: From Extraction to Food and Pharmaceutical Application)

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9 pages, 413 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Food Modulation Controls Astaxanthin Accumulation in Eggs of the Sea Urchin Arbacia lixula

by Christian Galasso, Ida Orefice, Alfonso Toscano, Tomás Vega Fernández, Luigi Musco, Christophe Brunet, Clementina Sansone and Paola Cirino

Mar. Drugs 2018, 16(6), 186; https://doi.org/10.3390/md16060186 - 28 May 2018

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3825

Abstract

The carotenoid astaxanthin has strong antioxidant properties with beneficial effects for various degenerative diseases. This carotenoid is produced by some microalgae species when cultivated in particular conditions, and, interestingly, it is a predominant carotenoid in aquatic animals throughout a broad range of taxa. [...] Read more.

The carotenoid astaxanthin has strong antioxidant properties with beneficial effects for various degenerative diseases. This carotenoid is produced by some microalgae species when cultivated in particular conditions, and, interestingly, it is a predominant carotenoid in aquatic animals throughout a broad range of taxa. Recently, astaxanthin was detected in the eggs of the sea urchin Arbacia lixula in relevant concentrations when this organism was maintained in culture. These results have paved the way for deeper research into astaxanthin production by this species, particularly in regards to how astaxanthin production can be modulated by diet. Results showed that the highest content of astaxanthin in eggs was observed in sea urchins fed on a diet enriched with Spirulina platensis. This result was confirmed by the high antioxidant activity recorded in the egg extracts of these animals. Our results suggest that (i) the sea urchin A. lixula is able to synthesize astaxanthin from precursors obtained from food, and (ii) it is possible to modulate the astaxanthin accumulation in sea urchin eggs by modifying the proportions of different food ingredients provided in their diet. This study demonstrates the large potential of sea urchin cultivation for the eco-sustainable production of healthy supplements for nutraceutical applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Health Compounds: From Extraction to Food and Pharmaceutical Application)

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19 pages, 3338 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Preparation, Physicochemical and Antioxidant Properties of Acid- and Pepsin-Soluble Collagens from the Swim Bladders of Miiuy Croaker (Miichthys miiuy)

by Wen-Hao Zhao, Chang-Feng Chi, Yu-Qin Zhao and Bin Wang

Mar. Drugs 2018, 16(5), 161; https://doi.org/10.3390/md16050161 - 12 May 2018

Cited by 71 | Viewed by 5311

Abstract

Collagen is one of the most useful biomaterials and widely applied in functional food and cosmetics. However, some consumers have paid close attention to the safety of mammalian collagens because of the outbreaks of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), and other [...] Read more.

Collagen is one of the most useful biomaterials and widely applied in functional food and cosmetics. However, some consumers have paid close attention to the safety of mammalian collagens because of the outbreaks of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), and other prion diseases. Therefore, there is a strong demand for developing alternative sources of collagen, with one promising source being from the process by-products of commercial fisheries. In this report, acid-soluble collagen (ASC-SB) and pepsin-soluble collagen (PSC-SB) from swim bladders of miiuy croaker (Miichthys miiuy) were isolated with yields of 1.33 ± 0.11% and 8.37 ± 0.24% of dry swim bladder weight. Glycine was the major amino acid present, with a content of 320.5 (ASC-SB) and 333.6 residues/1000 residues (PSC-SB). ASC-SB and PSC-SB had much lower denaturation temperatures compared to mammalian collagen, a consequence of low imino acid contents (196.7 and 199.5 residues/1000 residues for ASC-SB and PSC-SB, respectively). The data of amino acid composition, SDS-PAGE pattern, UV and FTIR spectra confirmed that ASC-SB and PSC-SB were mainly composed of type I collagen. FTIR spectra data indicated there were more hydrogen bonding and intermolecular crosslinks in ASC-SB. These collagens showed high solubility in the acidic pH ranges and low NaCl concentrations (less than 2%). The Zeta potential values of ASC-SB and PSC-SB were 6.74 and 6.85, respectively. ASC-SB and PSC-SB presented irregular, dense, sheet-like films linked by random-coiled filaments under scanning electron microscopy. In addition, ASC-SB and PSC-SB could scavenge DPPH radical, hydroxyl radical, superoxide anion radical, and ABTS radical in a dose-dependent manner. Overall, the results indicate that collagens from the swim bladders of miiuy croaker are a viable substitute for mammalian collagen, with potential functional food and cosmeceutical applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Health Compounds: From Extraction to Food and Pharmaceutical Application)

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12 pages, 1930 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile Ethanolic Extract Modulates Cell Activities with Skin Health Applications

by Laura Cornara, Giulia Pastorino, Barbara Borghesi, Annalisa Salis, Marco Clericuzio, Carla Marchetti, Gianluca Damonte and Bruno Burlando

Mar. Drugs 2018, 16(1), 21; https://doi.org/10.3390/md16010021 - 10 Jan 2018

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 5533

Abstract

Seagrasses are high plants sharing adaptive metabolic features with both terrestrial plants and marine algae, resulting in a phytocomplex possibly endowed with interesting biological properties. The aim of this study is to evaluate the in vitro activities on skin cells of an ethanolic [...] Read more.

Seagrasses are high plants sharing adaptive metabolic features with both terrestrial plants and marine algae, resulting in a phytocomplex possibly endowed with interesting biological properties. The aim of this study is to evaluate the in vitro activities on skin cells of an ethanolic extract obtained from the leaves of Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile, family Potamogetonaceae, herein named Posidonia ethanolic extract (PEE). PEE showed high radical scavenging activity, high phenolic content, and resulted rich in chicoric acid, as determined through HPLC-MS analysis. The use of MTT assay on fibroblasts showed a PEE cytotoxicity threshold (IC₀₅) of 50 µg/mL at 48 h, while a sub-toxic dose of 20 µg/mL induced a significant increase of fibroblast growth rate after 10 days. In addition, an ELISA assay revealed that PEE doses of 5 and 10 µg/mL induced collagen production in fibroblasts. PEE induced dose-dependent mushroom tyrosinase inhibition, up to about 45% inhibition at 1000 µg/mL, while 50% reduction of melanin was observed in melanoma cells exposed to 50 µg/mL PEE. Finally, PEE lipolytic activity was assessed by measuring glycerol release from adipocytes following triglyceride degradation. In conclusion, we have collected new data about the biological activities of the phytocomplex of P. oceanica seagrass on skin cells. Our findings indicate that PEE could be profitably used in the development of products for skin aging, undesired hyperpigmentation, and cellulite. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Health Compounds: From Extraction to Food and Pharmaceutical Application)

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299 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Proximate Composition and Nutritional Value of Three Macroalgae: Ascophyllum nodosum, Fucus vesiculosus and Bifurcaria bifurcata

by José M. Lorenzo, Rubén Agregán, Paulo E. S. Munekata, Daniel Franco, Javier Carballo, Selin Şahin, Ramón Lacomba and Francisco J. Barba

Mar. Drugs 2017, 15(11), 360; https://doi.org/10.3390/md15110360 - 15 Nov 2017

Cited by 126 | Viewed by 9329

Abstract

Proximate composition (moisture, protein, lipid and ash content) and nutritional value (fatty acid, amino acid and mineral profile) of three macroalgae (Ascophyllum nodosum, Fucus vesiculosus and Bifurcaria bifurcate) were studied. Chemical composition was significantly (p < 0.001) different among [...] Read more.

Proximate composition (moisture, protein, lipid and ash content) and nutritional value (fatty acid, amino acid and mineral profile) of three macroalgae (Ascophyllum nodosum, Fucus vesiculosus and Bifurcaria bifurcate) were studied. Chemical composition was significantly (p < 0.001) different among the three seaweeds. In this regard, the B. bifurcata presented the highest fat content (6.54% of dry matter); whereas, F. vesiculosus showed the highest protein level (12.99% dry matter). Regarding fatty acid content, the polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) were the most abundant followed by saturated fatty acids (SFAs) and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs). On the other hand, the three seaweeds are a rich source of K (from 3781.35 to 9316.28 mg/100 g), Mn (from 8.28 to 1.96 mg/100 g), Na (from 1836.82 to 4575.71 mg/100 g) and Ca (from 984.73 to 1160.27 mg/100 g). Finally, the most abundant amino acid was glutamic acid (1874.47–1504.53 mg/100 dry matter), followed by aspartic acid (1677.01–800.84 mg/100 g dry matter) and alanine (985.40–655.73 mg/100 g dry matter). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Health Compounds: From Extraction to Food and Pharmaceutical Application)

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Review

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21 pages, 2405 KiB

Open AccessReview

Bioaccessibility of Marine Carotenoids

by Isabel Viera, Antonio Pérez-Gálvez and María Roca

Mar. Drugs 2018, 16(10), 397; https://doi.org/10.3390/md16100397 - 22 Oct 2018

Cited by 56 | Viewed by 5819

Abstract

The benefit of carotenoids to human health is undeniable and consequently, their use for this purpose is growing rapidly. Additionally, the nutraceutical properties of carotenoids have attracted attention of the food industry, especially in a new market area, the ‘cosmeceuticals.’ Marine organisms (microalgae, [...] Read more.

The benefit of carotenoids to human health is undeniable and consequently, their use for this purpose is growing rapidly. Additionally, the nutraceutical properties of carotenoids have attracted attention of the food industry, especially in a new market area, the ‘cosmeceuticals.’ Marine organisms (microalgae, seaweeds, animals, etc.) are a rich source of carotenoids, with optimal properties for industrial production and biotechnological manipulation. Consequently, several papers have reviewed the analysis, characterization, extraction and determination methods, biological functions and industrial applications. But, now, the bioaccessibility and bioactivity of marine carotenoids has not been focused of any review, although important achievements have been published. The specific and diverse characteristic of the marine matrix determines the bioavailability of carotenoids, some of them unique in the nature. Considering the importance of the bioavailability not just from the health and nutritional point of view but also to the food and pharmaceutical industry, we consider that the present review responds to an actual demand. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Health Compounds: From Extraction to Food and Pharmaceutical Application)

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