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Marine Algae Bioactives: Isolation, Characterisation and Potential Application

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A special issue of Foods (ISSN 2304-8158). This special issue belongs to the section "Foods of Marine Origin".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2023) | Viewed by 31352

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Dr. Ivana Generalić Mekinić

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Guest Editor

Department of Food Technology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Chemistry and Technology, University of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia
Interests: food chemistry; herbs; natural extracts; antioxidants; antimicrobials; phytochemicals; phenolic compounds
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. Vida Šimat

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Guest Editor

Department of Marine Studies, University of Split, R. Boškovića 37, HR-21000 Split, Croatia
Interests: food quality and safety; food technology; seafood; fatty acids; seaweed antioxidans; marine bioactives
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Historically, marine algae (both macroalgae and microalgae) and their phytochemicals have played a major role as high-value nutritional and therapeutic foods. Modern analytical techniques have enabled scientists to identify and characterise the active components found in marine micro and macroalgae through the continuous search for new, inexpensive, and valuable sources of natural compounds with a broad range of biological activities. Among the spectrum of unique metabolites they produce, special attention has been devoted to polysaccharides, proteins and peptides, fatty acids and lipid derivates, phenolic compounds, terpenes, pigments, sterols, minerals, etc., as well as to the investigation of their nutritional value and beneficial effects on human health.

In this Special Issue of Foods, we are inviting research papers on state-of-the art knowledge of marine macro and microalgae bioactive components and their isolation, extraction, and purification using conventional or novel technologies. Furthermore, studies addressing the identification and quantification of valuable and bioactive algal constituents and their properties, as well as the potential application of algal natural extracts and/or individual compounds in nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals are welcome. We are also inviting experts from the abovementioned areas of research to contribute review articles to this Special Issue.

Prof. Dr. Ivana Generalić Mekinić
Prof. Dr. Vida Šimat
Guest Editors

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Keywords

marine organisms
seaweeds
microalgae and macroalgae
secondary metabolites
chemodiversity
biologically active compounds
extraction, isolation, and purification
identification and quantification
biological activity screening
food application
nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals

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Published Papers (9 papers)

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Editorial

Jump to: Research, Review

3 pages, 164 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Marine Algae Bioactives: Isolation, Characterization, and Potential Application

by Ivana Generalić Mekinić and Vida Šimat

Foods 2024, 13(11), 1736; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13111736 - 1 Jun 2024

Viewed by 838

Abstract

This Special Issue (SI) of Foods, entitled “Marine Algae Bioactives: Isolation, Characterization, and Potential Application”, was focused on algal organisms, both microalgae and macroalgae, which have recently been recognized as new, cost-effective, and valuable sources of health-promoting nutrients [...] Read more.

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Algae Bioactives: Isolation, Characterisation and Potential Application)

Research

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19 pages, 1848 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Fucus vesiculosus-Rich Extracts as Potential Functional Food Ingredients: A Holistic Extraction Approach

by Ana R. Circuncisão, Sónia S. Ferreira, Artur M. S. Silva, Manuel A. Coimbra and Susana M. Cardoso

Foods 2024, 13(4), 540; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13040540 - 9 Feb 2024

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2052

Abstract

Brown macroalgae are rich sources of nutrients and health-promoting compounds. Nevertheless, their consumption is still limited by their strong organoleptic characteristics, thus requiring the development of extraction strategies to profit from their nutritional value. To fulfil this, two sequential extraction approaches were developed, differing in the solvent used in the first extraction step, water in approach 1 or food-grade ethanol in approach 2, to obtain economic and affordable extracts rich in specific compounds from Fucus vesiculosus. The use of water in the first step of extraction allowed us to recover water-soluble phlorotannins, laminarans and mannuronic-rich alginates, making the subsequent 70% ethanol extract richest in fucoxanthin (0.07% algae DW), and the hot water fractions purest in fucoidans and alginates with a lower mannuronic-to-guluronic (M/G) ratio (2.91). Conversely, when beginning extraction procedures with 96% ethanol, the recovered yields of phlorotannins increased (0.43 g PGE/100 g algae DW), but there was a concomitant seven-fold decrease in the recovery of fucoxanthin in the subsequent 70% ethanol extract. This approach also led to less pure hot water fractions containing fucoidans, laminarans and alginates with a higher M/G ratio (5.50). Overall, this work unveiled the potential of the first extraction steps in sustainable and holistic cascade strategies to modulate the composition of food-grade extracts, creating prospects of their application as tailored functional ingredients in food products. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Algae Bioactives: Isolation, Characterisation and Potential Application)

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13 pages, 306 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Algae Incorporation and Nutritional Improvement: The Case of a Whole-Wheat Pasta

by Bárbara C. C. Oliveira, Marlene Machado, Susana Machado, Anabela S. G. Costa, Sílvia Bessada, Rita C. Alves and Maria Beatriz P. P. Oliveira

Foods 2023, 12(16), 3039; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12163039 - 13 Aug 2023

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 1791

Abstract

Algae contain high-quality proteins, dietary fiber, minerals, and phenolic compounds, making them promising alternative ingredients. Since pasta is consumed worldwide, it can be an effective vehicle for incorporating algae. This study compares the nutritional and antioxidant composition of whole-wheat pasta without and with enrichment of an algae mixture (containing Himanthalia elongata and Spirulina) and ascertains the influence of the cooking procedure on their features. Spirulina and H. elongata were also analyzed in parallel for comparison purposes. Macronutrients, chlorides and salt, total and free amino acid profiles, and antioxidant properties (total phenolic content and ferric reducing antioxidant power) were analyzed using AOAC, Mohr’s, high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection, and spectrophotometric methods, respectively. The results show a significant increase in fat (70.4%), protein (29.7%), ash (26.5%), and total amino acid (except for serine, tryptophan, isoleucine, and threonine) contents in the raw algae-enriched pasta. The antioxidant activity was also higher (4.15 versus 3.68 g ferrous sulfate eq./g dw, respectively). After cooking, protein, dietary fiber, total amino acids (except threonine) and antioxidant activity were stable in the algae-enriched pasta. Thus, algae can be an excellent ingredient for food applications with health benefits. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Algae Bioactives: Isolation, Characterisation and Potential Application)

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Graphical abstract

16 pages, 1538 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Enhancing Nutrient Recovery and Bioactive Compound Extraction from Spirulina through Supercritical Fluid Extraction: Implications for SH-SY5Y Cell Viability

by Francisco J. Martí-Quijal, Noelia Pallarés, Katarzyna Dawidowicz, María-José Ruiz and Francisco J. Barba

Foods 2023, 12(13), 2509; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12132509 - 28 Jun 2023

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2588

Abstract

This work explores the efficiency of supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) to recover minerals, pigments, and antioxidant compounds from the spirulina microalgae. Moreover, the fatty acids and phenolic profiles of the extracts obtained were also investigated, and the effect of the extracts on SH-SY5Y cell viability was tested. The extraction of phycocyanin was improved by SFE compared to conventional extraction, from 2.838 ± 0.081 mg/g dry matter (DM) (control) to 6.438 ± 0.411 mg/g DM (SFE). SFE treatment also improved chlorophyll a and carotenoid recoveries increasing from 5.612 ± 0.547 to 8.645 ± 0.857 mg/g DM and from 0.447 ± 0.096 to 0.651 ± 0.120 mg/g DM, respectively. Regarding minerals, the SFE improved Mg recovery with 77% more than the control extraction. Moreover, palmitoleic, stearic, γ-linolenic, eicosadienoic and eicosatrienoic acids recovery was improved by SFE. Phenolic profiles were identified via triple-TOF-LC-MS-MS. Considering heavy metals, a higher rate of Pb extraction was observed for the SFE extract, while no significant differences were observed for Hg between both extractions. Finally, SFE extract improved cell viability compared to the control extract. Thus, SFE constitutes an interesting tool to sustainably extract high-added-value compounds; however, potential contaminants such as Pb need to be controlled in the resulting extracts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Algae Bioactives: Isolation, Characterisation and Potential Application)

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15 pages, 6423 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Formulation of Polymeric Microparticles Using Eco-Friendly Extracted Crude Fucoidans from Edible Brown Seaweed Undaria pinnatifida

by Tania Ferreira-Anta, Maria Dolores Torres, Herminia Dominguez and Noelia Flórez-Fernández

Foods 2023, 12(9), 1859; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12091859 - 29 Apr 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2037

Abstract

Several bioactive compounds that hold a potential interest in the food industry as phenolic compounds, polysaccharides, proteins and vitamins, among others, are present in seaweeds. Green extraction technologies are the preferred way to obtain these compounds. Pressurized hot water extraction, from 160 to 220 °C, was tested to achieve high yields of these components from the edible brown seaweed, Undaria pinnatifida. The maximum fucoidan content was recovered at 160 °C, while the phloroglucinol content and antioxidant activity were maximum at 220 °C. The possibility of encapsulating these bioactive fractions using mannitol was assessed. The highest production yield of the polymeric particles was found using the 220 °C fraction (close to 75%). In order to formulate microparticles with bioactive potential, several ratios of liquid phases were assessed, 3:1, 1:1 and 1:3 (w:w), using the liquid fractions obtained at 160 °C and 220 °C. The yield production was always above 67%, being in the 1:3 ratio (160 °C:220 °C) and close to 75%. The rheological results indicated that the presence of microparticles enhanced the apparent viscosity of the aqueous dispersions with non-Newtonian profiles, achieving the highest viscosity for those formulated with microparticles from 160 °C:200 °C (3:1). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Algae Bioactives: Isolation, Characterisation and Potential Application)

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18 pages, 3348 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Seasonal Changes in Chemical Profile and Antioxidant Activity of Padina pavonica Extracts and Their Application in the Development of Bioactive Chitosan/PLA Bilayer Film

by Martina Čagalj, Lidija Fras Zemljič, Tjaša Kraševac Glaser, Eva Mežnar, Meta Sterniša, Sonja Smole Možina, María del Carmen Razola-Díaz and Vida Šimat

Foods 2022, 11(23), 3847; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11233847 - 28 Nov 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2801

Abstract

Seaweeds are a potentially sustainable source of natural antioxidants that can be used in the food industry and possibly for the development of new sustainable packaging materials with the ability to extend the shelf-life of foods and reduce oxidation. With this in mind, the seasonal variations in the chemical composition and antioxidant activity of brown seaweed (Padina pavonica) extracts were investigated. The highest total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activity (measured by ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC)) were found for P. pavonica June extract. The TPC of 26.69 ± 1.86 mg gallic acid equivalent/g, FRAP of 352.82 ± 15.41 µmole Trolox equivalent (TE)/L, DPPH of 52.51 ± 2.81% inhibition, and ORAC of 76.45 ± 1.47 µmole TE/L were detected. Therefore, this extract was chosen for the development of bioactive PLA bilayer film, along with chitosan. Primary or quaternary chitosan was used as the first layer on polylactic acid (PLA) films. A suspension of chitosan particles with entrapped P. pavonica extract was used as the second layer. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed the presence of layers on the material surface. The highest recorded antioxidant activity of the newly developed films was 63.82% inhibition. The developed functional films exhibited antifogging and antioxidant properties, showing the potential for application in the food industry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Algae Bioactives: Isolation, Characterisation and Potential Application)

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24 pages, 2872 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Isolation of Valuable Biological Substances from Microalgae Culture

by Olga Babich, Vyacheslav Dolganyuk, Anna Andreeva, Dmitriy Katserov, Liudmila Matskova, Elena Ulrikh, Svetlana Ivanova, Philippe Michaud and Stanislav Sukhikh

Foods 2022, 11(11), 1654; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11111654 - 4 Jun 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3328

Abstract

Methods for purifying, detecting, and characterizing protein concentrate, carbohydrates, lipids, and neutral fats from the microalgae were developed as a result of research. Microalgae were collected from natural sources (water, sand, soil of the Kaliningrad region, Russia). Microalgae were identified based on morphology and polymerase chain reaction as Chlorella vulgaris Beijer, Arthrospira platensis Gomont, Arthrospira platensis (Nordst.) Geitl., and Dunaliella salina Teod. The protein content in all microalgae samples was determined using a spectrophotometer. The extracts were dried by spray freeze drying. Pressure acid hydrolysis with 1% sulfuric acid was determined to be the most effective method for extracting carbohydrates from microalgae biomass samples. The highest yield of carbohydrates (more than 56%) was obtained from A. platensis samples. The addition of carbohydrates to the cultivation medium increased the accumulation of fatty acids in microalgae, especially in Chlorella. When carbohydrates were introduced to nutrient media, neutral lipids increased by 10.9%, triacylglycerides by 10.9%, fatty acids by 13.9%, polar lipids by 3.1%, unsaponifiable substances by 13.1%, chlorophyllides by 12.1%, other impurities by 8.9% on average for all microalgae. It was demonstrated that on average the content of myristic acid increased by 10.8%, palmitic acid by 10.4%, oleic acid by 10.0%, stearic acid by 10.1%, and linoleic acid by 5.7% in all microalgae samples with the addition of carbohydrates to nutrient media. It was established that microalgae samples contained valuable components (proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, fatty acids, minerals). Thereby the study of the composition of lipids and fatty acids in microalgae, as well as the influence of carbohydrates in the nutrient medium on lipid accumulation, is a promising direction for scientific research in the fields of physiology, biochemistry, biophysics, genetics, space biology and feed additive production. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Algae Bioactives: Isolation, Characterisation and Potential Application)

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Review

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30 pages, 1079 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

Algal Carotenoids: Chemistry, Sources, and Application

by Ivana Generalić Mekinić, Vida Šimat, Nikheel Bhojraj Rathod, Imen Hamed and Martina Čagalj

Foods 2023, 12(14), 2768; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12142768 - 20 Jul 2023

Cited by 27 | Viewed by 5611

Abstract

Recently, the isolation and identification of various biologically active secondary metabolites from algae have been of scientific interest, with particular attention paid to carotenoids, widely distributed in various photosynthetic organisms, including algal species. Carotenoids are among the most important natural pigments, with many health-promoting effects. Since the number of scientific studies on the presence and profile of carotenoids in algae has increased exponentially along with the interest in their potential commercial applications, this review aimed to provide an overview of the current knowledge (from 2015) on carotenoids detected in different algal species (12 microalgae, 21 green algae, 26 brown algae, and 43 red algae) to facilitate the comparison of the results of different studies. In addition to the presence, content, and identification of total and individual carotenoids in various algae, the method of their extraction and the main extraction parameters were also highlighted. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Algae Bioactives: Isolation, Characterisation and Potential Application)

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19 pages, 1223 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

Novel Technologies for Seaweed Polysaccharides Extraction and Their Use in Food with Therapeutically Applications—A Review

by Silvia Lomartire and Ana M. M. Gonçalves

Foods 2022, 11(17), 2654; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11172654 - 1 Sep 2022

Cited by 36 | Viewed by 8787

Abstract

The use of seaweed for therapeutic purposes is ancient, but only in the last decade, with advanced technologies, has it been possible to extract seaweed’s bioactive compounds and test their potential properties. Algal metabolites possess nutritional properties, but they also exhibit antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antiviral activities, which allow them to be involved in several pharmaceutical applications. Seaweeds have been incorporated since ancient times into diets as a whole food. With the isolation of particular seaweed compounds, it would be possible to develop new types of food with therapeutically properties. Polysaccharides make up the majority of seaweed biomass, which has triggered an increase in interest in using seaweed for commercial purposes, particularly in the production of agar, carrageenan, and alginate. The bio-properties of polysaccharides are strictly dependent to their chemical characteristics and structure, which varies depending on the species, their life cycles, and other biotic and abiotic factors. Through this review, techniques for seaweed polysaccharides extraction are reported, with studies addressing the advantages for human health from the incorporation of algal compounds as dietary supplements and food additives. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Algae Bioactives: Isolation, Characterisation and Potential Application)

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