Antimicrobial Action of Compounds from Marine Seaweed
María José Pérez 
1
Departamento de Biología Funcional y Ciencias de la Salud, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidade de Vigo, As Lagoas, Ourense 32004, Spain
2
Departamento de Química Analítica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidade de Vigo, As Lagoas, Ourense 32004, Spain
3
Departamento de Enxeñería Química, Facultad de Ciencias. Universidade de Vigo, As Lagoas, Ourense 32004, Spain
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Academic Editors: Tracy John Mincer and David C. Rowley
Mar. Drugs 2016, 14(3), 52; https://doi.org/10.3390/md14030052
Received: 18 December 2015 / Revised: 18 January 2016 / Accepted: 25 February 2016 / Published: 9 March 2016
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antibacterial Marine Pharmacology)
Seaweed produces metabolites aiding in the protection against different environmental stresses. These compounds show antiviral, antiprotozoal, antifungal, and antibacterial properties. Macroalgae can be cultured in high volumes and would represent an attractive source of potential compounds useful for unconventional drugs able to control new diseases or multiresistant strains of pathogenic microorganisms. The substances isolated from green, brown and red algae showing potent antimicrobial activity belong to polysaccharides, fatty acids, phlorotannins, pigments, lectins, alkaloids, terpenoids and halogenated compounds. This review presents the major compounds found in macroalga showing antimicrobial activities and their most promising applications.
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MDPI and ACS Style
Pérez, M.J.; Falqué, E.; Domínguez, H. Antimicrobial Action of Compounds from Marine Seaweed. Mar. Drugs 2016, 14, 52.
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