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Applied Sciences
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Marine-Derived Bioactive Compounds and Marine Biotechnology
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Marine-Derived Bioactive Compounds and Marine Biotechnology

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Applied Biosciences and Bioengineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 September 2026 | Viewed by 12674

Editors

Dr. Ana Augusto

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Guest Editor
MARE-Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre & ARNET—Aquatic Research Network Associated Laboratory, ESTM, Polytechnic of Leiria, 2520-641 Peniche, Portugal
Interests: edible coatings; edible films; seaweeds; natural extracts; biotecnology; marine bioactives; food processing
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Susana F. J. Silva

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Guest Editor
MARE-Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, ESTM, Politécnico de Leiria, 2520–614 Peniche, Portugal
Interests: biotechnology; marine resources valorization; food development; natural-based food coatings and films
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Marco Lemos

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
MARE-Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, ESTM, Politécnico de Leiria, 2520-614 Peniche, Portugal
Interests: biotechnology; bioeconomy; biomarkers; circular economy; stress biology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Patrícia Valentão

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
REQUIMTE/LAQV, Laboratory of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
Interests: narural products; primary and secondary metabolites; bioactivity
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Marine organisms represent an important source of functional compounds, such as polysaccharides, lipids, phenolic compounds, vitamins, and minerals. This diversity implies a myriad of potentially beneficial functions, such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, and lipid-lowering properties that can be applied to food technologies such as food processing and conservation and the development of innovative formulations. Nowadays, through marine biotechnology research, biomolecules derived from marine organisms can be studied and commercialized for use in a range of applications in the food industry, including natural-based pigments, food preservatives, nutritional-value supplements in foods, and, more recently, biodegradable packaging. This Special Issue of Applied Sciences will explore the integrative evaluation of marine resources as a sustainable source of food and food technologies to promote better practices along the entire chain, from the raw material to the consumer, with a particular focus on marine-based food preservatives and bio-based technologies that prolong shelf life and increase food quality.

Dr. Ana Augusto
Dr. Susana F. J. Silva
Dr. Marco F. L. Lemos
Dr. Patrícia Valentão
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • marine microalgae
  • marine macroalgae
  • green extracts
  • biotechnology
  • natural compounds
  • food additives
  • high-value compounds
  • shelf life
  • seafood by-products
  • nutritional profile

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 1305 KB  
Article
Lactic Acid Production from Porphyra umbilicalis Through Sequential Saccharification and Fermentation with a Lactobacilli Consortium
by Ana S. Fernandes, Marília Mateus, Helena M. Pinheiro, M. Manuela R. da Fonseca and M. Teresa Cesário
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(24), 12946; https://doi.org/10.3390/app152412946 - 8 Dec 2025
Viewed by 948
Abstract
Lactic acid is a compound that is consistently in high demand due to its wide range of applications. Aiming at the use of an alternative third-generation substrate for the microbial production of this organic acid, the fermentation of Porphyra umbilicalis with lactobacilli was [...] Read more.
Lactic acid is a compound that is consistently in high demand due to its wide range of applications. Aiming at the use of an alternative third-generation substrate for the microbial production of this organic acid, the fermentation of Porphyra umbilicalis with lactobacilli was studied. This seaweed revealed a total carbohydrate content of 51.6 ± 1.7 g/100 g biomass dry weight (DW), thus showing great potential for fermentation purposes. Thermal-acidic (at 121 °C for 30 min) hydrolysis of 100 g/L P. umbilicalis with sulfuric acid (H2SO4 5% w/v) led to the release of 37.9 ± 1.1% of the total sugars in the seaweed substrate, producing a hydrolysate with 14.7 ± 0.4, 1.1 ± 0.04 and 0.9 ± 0.04 g/L of galactose, glucose and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), respectively. After optimization of the oxygen supply conditions, fed-batch fermentation of the hydrolysate by a consortium (4LAB) of Levilactobacillus brevis, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus, and Lacticaseibacillus casei in a 2 L bioreactor produced up to 65 g/L of lactic acid with a yield of 0.58 g/g of consumed carbon sources. The 4LAB consortium was not inhibited by up to 1 g/L HMF in the medium and also showed the capacity to convert up to 88.5% of the initial HMF titer during fed-batch fermentation in the bioreactor. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine-Derived Bioactive Compounds and Marine Biotechnology)
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27 pages, 1839 KB  
Article
The Effect of In Vitro Gastrointestinal Digestion on the Biological Activity of a Sea Cucumber (Holothuria forskali) Hydrolysate Encapsulated in Chitosan Nanoparticles and Rapeseed Lecithin Liposomes
by Ailén Alemán, María del Carmen Gómez-Guillén, María Pilar Montero and María Elvira López-Caballero
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(21), 11495; https://doi.org/10.3390/app152111495 - 28 Oct 2025
Viewed by 1853
Abstract
A growing scientific interest in bioactive compounds from sea cucumbers is contributing to a broader recognition even in regions where their consumption is not common. This study evaluated the biological potential of a Holothuria forskali extract obtained through different extraction methods, including water [...] Read more.
A growing scientific interest in bioactive compounds from sea cucumbers is contributing to a broader recognition even in regions where their consumption is not common. This study evaluated the biological potential of a Holothuria forskali extract obtained through different extraction methods, including water extraction, ethanol–water extraction, and enzymatic hydrolysis. The hydrolysate (H), rich in low-molecular-weight peptides, yielded the highest antioxidant (30.6 ± 0.6 mg VitC Eq/g sample for ABTS and 10.7 ± 0.1 mg GAEs/g sample for Folin-reactive substances) and ACE-inhibitory (82.6%) activities. Based on these results, the hydrolysate was selected for encapsulation in two nanostructured delivery systems for comparative purposes: chitosan nanoparticles (NPs) and rapeseed lecithin liposomes (LPs). Both nanostructures were characterized in terms of size, ζ-potential, and polydispersity and subjected to simulated in vitro gastrointestinal digestion (GIDv) to assess their stability and mucoadhesive properties. After digestion, antioxidant activity increased in both systems, particularly in liposomes. Although encapsulation initially reduced ACE-inhibitory activity, gastrointestinal digestion restored or enhanced it, especially in liposomal formulations (≈37% inhibition). The mucoadhesive potential of the nanostructures after DGIv, focusing on their interactions with mucin, was assessed. Liposomal digests significantly increased viscosity in the presence of mucin, while chitosan nanoparticles decreased it, suggesting the formation of soluble complexes with reduced hydrodynamic volume. Electrostatic and hydrogen bonding interactions between chitosan and mucin were particularly evident in the NPH formulation. The rheological synergism parameter (Δη) revealed more negative values for NPs and NPHs, indicating stronger mucoadhesive interactions compared to controls and suggesting their suitability for mucosal delivery. These findings support the use of H. forskali hydrolysates as a source of functional bioactive compounds and highlight the potential of chitosan-based nanocarriers for enhancing their stability, bioaccessibility, and mucoadhesive properties in functional food or nutraceutical applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine-Derived Bioactive Compounds and Marine Biotechnology)
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13 pages, 448 KB  
Article
Dietary Ethanolamine Plasmalogen from Ascidian Alleviates Chronic Hepatic Injury in Mice Treated with Continuous Acetaminophen
by Ryosuke Sogame, Yuki Tominaga, Momoka Echigoya, Kiyotaka Nakagawa, Michihiro Fukushima, Teruo Miyazawa, Mikio Kinoshita and Shinji Yamashita
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(11), 5968; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15115968 - 26 May 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1893
Abstract
Background: Ethanolamine plasmalogen (PlsEtn) is a subclass of ethanolamine glycerophospholipids (EtnGpls) and is abundantly found in some marine invertebrates, including ascidian Halocynthia roretzi. PlsEtn is reported to exhibit physiological and nutritional hepatic functions; however, the effects of dietary PlsEtn on continuous acetaminophen [...] Read more.
Background: Ethanolamine plasmalogen (PlsEtn) is a subclass of ethanolamine glycerophospholipids (EtnGpls) and is abundantly found in some marine invertebrates, including ascidian Halocynthia roretzi. PlsEtn is reported to exhibit physiological and nutritional hepatic functions; however, the effects of dietary PlsEtn on continuous acetaminophen (APAP)-induced hepatic injury, including oxidative stress and impaired lipid metabolism, remain unclear. Herein, we investigated the dietary effects of PlsEtn from ascidian on chronic hepatic injury in APAP-treated mice. Methods: Five-week-old male ICR mice were divided into four groups (n = 12), which were treated with the respective experimental diet for two weeks and then the respective APAP-containing diet for five weeks. The results obtained after administering the PlsEtn-rich diet were compared with those obtained after the administration of a phosphatidylethanolamine (PtdEtn)-rich diet, a major subclass of hepatic EtnGpls. Results: The PlsEtn-rich diet effectively suppressed the APAP-induced decrease in body and liver weights of mice; however, this suppressive effect was not observed in mice fed a PtdEtn-rich diet. APAP administration decreased the total fatty acid content in the liver, whereas a PlsEtn-rich diet alleviated this decrease and increased the hepatic content of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which exhibits various hepatic functions. Moreover, dietary EtnGpl rich in PlsEtn or PtdEtn suppressed APAP-induced lipid oxidation in the liver. The protein expression results revealed that dietary EtnGpls reduced the expression of certain apoptosis-related proteins in the livers of APAP-administered mice compared to that in the APAP group. This reduction was particularly more effective in mice fed the PlsEtn-rich diet than in those on the PtdEtn-rich diet. Conclusions: Dietary EtnGpls, particularly PlsEtn, alleviated the hepatic cellular stress caused by continuous APAP consumption. These beneficial effects may depend on the subclass and may be related to DHA metabolism in the liver. The results of this study contribute to the understanding of the role of PlsEtn in maintaining liver health. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine-Derived Bioactive Compounds and Marine Biotechnology)
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Review

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27 pages, 362 KB  
Review
Applications of Bioactive Compounds from Marine Microalgae in Health, Cosmetics, and Functional Foods
by José A. M. Prates
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(11), 6144; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15116144 - 29 May 2025
Cited by 38 | Viewed by 7070
Abstract
Marine microalgae have emerged as promising biofactories for the sustainable production of high-value bioactive compounds with significant applications in human health, cosmetics, and functional foods. This review offers a comprehensive overview of the primary classes of bioactives synthesised by marine microalgae, including polyunsaturated [...] Read more.
Marine microalgae have emerged as promising biofactories for the sustainable production of high-value bioactive compounds with significant applications in human health, cosmetics, and functional foods. This review offers a comprehensive overview of the primary classes of bioactives synthesised by marine microalgae, including polyunsaturated fatty acids, carotenoids, phycobiliproteins, peptides, sterols, polysaccharides, phenolic compounds, vitamins, mycosporine-like amino acids, and alkaloids. These compounds demonstrate diverse biological activities, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anticancer, immunomodulatory, and photoprotective effects, increasingly validated through in vitro, and clinical studies. Their mechanisms of action and roles in disease prevention and wellness promotion are examined in detail, with an emphasis on pharmaceutical (e.g., cardiovascular, neuroprotective), cosmetic (e.g., anti-ageing, UV protection), and nutraceutical (e.g., metabolic and immune-enhancing) applications. The review also addresses critical challenges in strain selection, cultivation technologies, downstream processing, product standardisation, and regulatory approval. Simultaneously, emerging opportunities driven by synthetic biology, omics integration, and circular biorefinery approaches are transforming marine microalgae into precise platforms for next-generation bioproducts. By summarising current knowledge and future directions, this work underscores the essential role of marine microalgae in advancing the blue bioeconomy and tackling global sustainability challenges. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine-Derived Bioactive Compounds and Marine Biotechnology)

Other

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24 pages, 1047 KB  
Perspective
From Bioactivity to Functionality: Bridging Marine Chemical Diversity and Performance in Food Systems
by Marco F. L. Lemos, Susana F. J. Silva and Ana Augusto
Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(11), 5356; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16115356 - 27 May 2026
Viewed by 230
Abstract
Marine-derived compounds are increasingly being reported as promising candidates for use in food products due to their antioxidant, antimicrobial, and other bioactive properties. However, the successful translation of these compounds into effective food ingredients lags far behind the growing body of bioactivity data. [...] Read more.
Marine-derived compounds are increasingly being reported as promising candidates for use in food products due to their antioxidant, antimicrobial, and other bioactive properties. However, the successful translation of these compounds into effective food ingredients lags far behind the growing body of bioactivity data. This discrepancy reflects the tendency to equate activity measured under simplified laboratory conditions with functionality in real food systems. This article argues that such an assumption is often misleading. The performance of marine bioactives in food matrices is affected by factors such as instability, interactions with surrounding components, processing conditions, and loss of efficacy over time. Consequently, conventional in vitro screening often overestimates application potential and has limited predictive value for practical use. To advance the field, we propose a functionality-driven translation framework that shifts the evaluation focus away from bioactivity-centred screening towards assessing stability, matrix compatibility, feasible dosages and performance under conditions mimicking food matrix complexity. Better alignment between discovery and application is essential if the diversity of marine chemicals is to generate robust and effective solutions for food systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine-Derived Bioactive Compounds and Marine Biotechnology)
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