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Marine Drugs
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Recent Advances in Marine-Derived Pigments
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Recent Advances in Marine-Derived Pigments

A special issue of Marine Drugs (ISSN 1660-3397). This special issue belongs to the section "Marine Pharmacology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2025 | Viewed by 8821

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Laurent Picot

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Littoral Environnement et Sociétés UMRi CNRS 7266 LIENSs, La Rochelle Université, 17042 La Rochelle, France
Interests: anticancer compounds; heterocycles; melanoma; microalgae; natural products; pharmacology; pigments; tumor phototherapy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Raimundo Gonçalves de Oliveira Junior

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
UMR 8038 CiTCoM, Faculté de Santé, UFR Pharmacie, Université Paris Cité, 75006 Paris, France
Interests: marine natural products; anticancer; pigments; microalgae; chemosensitization
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Marine pigments are critical as prospective drug candidates because they possess unique chemical structures and biological activities that award them high therapeutic potential. Many marine organisms produce pigments in order to perform photosynthesis, photoprotection, phototropism and provide natural defense mechanisms against predators and environmental stressors. Beyond the classical biological activities that have been reported for marine pigments, such as their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic, pro-apoptotic, and antimicrobial properties, their novel and innovative uses are now being considered; indeed, they possess the potential to provide phototoxicity to pathogenic microorganisms and tumor cells, antiviral activity, sensitization to chemotherapy and radiation therapy, and immunomodulation.

The objective of this Special Issue is to highlight the latest developments in marine pigment research, including chemical diversity within marine taxa, chemical ecology studies aimed at understanding the natural function of these bioactive compounds, innovations in extraction, purification, and structural elucidation, as well as biotechnological and pharmaceutical developments. Pharmacological studies that highlight the novel modes of action in marine pigments at the cellular or molecular level will also be considered.

For this Special Issue, we invite scientists from both academia and industry to submit original and conceptual analyses and research papers that emphasize the potential of marine pigments as innovative marine drugs and molecules of biotechnological interest. We thank you for your contribution to the success of this Special Issue.

Dr. Laurent Picot
Dr. Raimundo Gonçalves de Oliveira Junior
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Marine Drugs is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • cancer
  • carotenoids
  • heterocycles
  • immunomodulation
  • neurodegenerative diseases
  • phlorotannins
  • phototherapy
  • phycobiliproteins
  • porphyrins
  • signaling pathways

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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21 pages, 5173 KiB  
Article
Phycocyanin-Loaded Alginate-Based Hydrogel Synthesis and Characterization
by Diana-Ioana Buliga, Alexandra Mocanu, Edina Rusen, Aurel Diacon, Gabriela Toader, Oana Brincoveanu, Ioan Călinescu and Aurelian Cristian Boscornea
Mar. Drugs 2024, 22(10), 434; https://doi.org/10.3390/md22100434 - 25 Sep 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1909
Abstract
Phycocyanin was extracted from Spirulina platensis using conventional extraction (CE), direct ultrasonic-assisted extraction (direct UAE), indirect ultrasonic-assisted extraction (indirect UAE), and microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) methods at different temperatures, extraction intervals, stirring rate, and power intensities while maintaining the same algae to solvent ratio [...] Read more.
Phycocyanin was extracted from Spirulina platensis using conventional extraction (CE), direct ultrasonic-assisted extraction (direct UAE), indirect ultrasonic-assisted extraction (indirect UAE), and microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) methods at different temperatures, extraction intervals, stirring rate, and power intensities while maintaining the same algae to solvent ratio (1:15 w/v). The optimization of the extraction parameters indicated that the direct UAE yielded the highest phycocyanin concentration (29.31 ± 0.33 mg/mL) and antioxidant activity (23.6 ± 0.56 mg TE/g algae), while MAE achieved the highest purity (Rp = 0.5 ± 0.002). Based on the RP value, phycocyanin extract obtained by MAE (1:15 w/v algae to solvent ratio, 40 min, 40 °C, and 900 rpm) was selected as active compound in an alginate-based hydrogel formulation designed as potential wound dressings. Phycocyanin extracts and loaded hydrogels were characterized by FT-IR analysis. SEM analysis confirmed a porous structure for both blank and phycocyanin loaded hydrogels, while the mechanical properties remained approximately unchanged in the presence of phycocyanin. Phycocyanin release kinetics was investigated at two pH values using Zero-order, First-order, Higuchi, and Korsmeyer-Peppas kinetics models. The Higuchi model best fitted the experimental results. The R2 value at higher pH was nearly 1, indicating a superior fit compared with lower pH values. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Marine-Derived Pigments)
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25 pages, 7974 KiB  
Article
Phototoxicity of the Ethanolic Extract of Skeletonema marinoi for the Dermocosmetic Improvement of Acne
by Jean-Baptiste Bérard, Tan-Sothea Ouk, Vincent Sol, Louise Lefoulon, Cornelia Landolt, Karine Grenier, Naima Saad, Elise Robert, Manoëlla Sibat, Nathalie Schreiber, Samuel Guenin and Laurent Picot
Mar. Drugs 2024, 22(8), 343; https://doi.org/10.3390/md22080343 - 27 Jul 2024
Viewed by 1888
Abstract
Acne is one of the most common dermatological conditions, peaking during adolescence and early adulthood, affecting about 85% of individuals aged 12–24. Although often associated with teenage years, acne can occur at any age, impacting over 25% of women and 12% of men [...] Read more.
Acne is one of the most common dermatological conditions, peaking during adolescence and early adulthood, affecting about 85% of individuals aged 12–24. Although often associated with teenage years, acne can occur at any age, impacting over 25% of women and 12% of men in their forties. Treatment strategies vary depending on the severity, including the use of topical gels or creams containing benzoyl peroxide and retinoids, antibiotics, and systemic or topical isotretinoin. However, these treatments can cause irritation, allergies, and other toxic side effects. Currently, there is no natural-based alternative for antibacterial photodynamic therapy targeting acne using marine drugs or extracts. Through a bioguided screening approach, we identified the ethanol extract of Skeletonema marinoi as highly phototoxic against three bacterial species associated with acne—Cutibacterium acnes, Staphylococcus aureus, and Staphylococcus epidermidis. This extract exhibited phototoxicity in planktonic bacteria under white and red light, disrupted bacterial biofilms, reduced sebum production but also showed phototoxicity in keratinocytes, highlighting the importance of the specific targeting of treatment areas. Further investigations, including fractionation and high-resolution structural analysis, linked the observed phototoxicity to a high concentration of pheophorbide a in the extract. Given its notable in vitro efficacy, this extract holds promising potential for clinical evaluation to manage mild acne. This discovery paves the way for further exploration of Skeletonema pigment extracts, extending their potential applications beyond acne phototherapy to include dermocosmetics, veterinary medicine, and other phototherapy uses. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Marine-Derived Pigments)
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13 pages, 1787 KiB  
Article
Optimizing Phycocyanin Extraction from Cyanobacterial Biomass: A Comparative Study of Freeze–Thaw Cycling with Various Solvents
by Konstantinos Pispas, Georgios Manthos, Eirini Sventzouri, Maria Geroulia, Savvas Giannis Mastropetros, Sameh Samir Ali and Michael Kornaros
Mar. Drugs 2024, 22(6), 246; https://doi.org/10.3390/md22060246 - 28 May 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2681
Abstract
Cyanobacterial phycocyanin pigment is widely utilized for its properties in various industries, including food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. Despite its potential, challenges exist, such as extraction methods impacting yield, stability, and purity. This study investigates the impact of the number of freeze–thaw (FT) cycles [...] Read more.
Cyanobacterial phycocyanin pigment is widely utilized for its properties in various industries, including food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. Despite its potential, challenges exist, such as extraction methods impacting yield, stability, and purity. This study investigates the impact of the number of freeze–thaw (FT) cycles on the extraction of phycocyanin from the wet biomass of four cyanobacteria species (Arthrospira platensis, Chlorogloeopsis fritschii, Phormidium sp., and Synechocystis sp.), along with the impact of five extraction solutions (Tris-HCl buffer, phosphate buffer, CaCl2, deionized water, and tap water) at various pH values. Synechocystis sp. exhibited the highest phycocyanin content among the studied species. For A. platensis, Tris-HCl buffer yielded maximum phycocyanin concentration from the first FT cycle, while phosphate buffer provided satisfactory results from the second cycle. Similarly, Tris-HCl buffer showed promising results for C. fritschii (68.5% of the maximum from the first cycle), with the highest concentration (~12% w/w) achieved during the seventh cycle, using phosphate buffer. Phormidium sp. yielded the maximum pigment concentration from the first cycle using tap water. Among species-specific optimal extraction solutions, Tris-HCl buffer demonstrated sufficient extraction efficacy for all species, from the first cycle. This study represents an initial step toward establishing a universal extraction method for phycocyanin from diverse cyanobacteria species. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Marine-Derived Pigments)
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Review

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46 pages, 4970 KiB  
Review
Phycobilins Versatile Pigments with Wide-Ranging Applications: Exploring Their Uses, Biological Activities, Extraction Methods and Future Perspectives
by Celestino García-Gómez, Diana E. Aguirre-Cavazos, Abelardo Chávez-Montes, Juan M. Ballesteros-Torres, Alonso A. Orozco-Flores, Raúl Reyna-Martínez, Ángel D. Torres-Hernández, Georgia M. González-Meza, Sandra L. Castillo-Hernández, Marcela A. Gloria-Garza, Miroslava Kačániová, Maciej Ireneusz-Kluz and Joel H. Elizondo-Luevano
Mar. Drugs 2025, 23(5), 201; https://doi.org/10.3390/md23050201 - 4 May 2025
Viewed by 334
Abstract
Phycobiliproteins (PBPs), captivating water-soluble proteins found in cyanobacteria, red algae, and cryptophytes, continue to fascinate researchers and industries due to their unique properties and multifaceted applications. These proteins consist of chromophores called phycobilins (PBs), covalently linked to specific protein subunits. Major phycobiliproteins include [...] Read more.
Phycobiliproteins (PBPs), captivating water-soluble proteins found in cyanobacteria, red algae, and cryptophytes, continue to fascinate researchers and industries due to their unique properties and multifaceted applications. These proteins consist of chromophores called phycobilins (PBs), covalently linked to specific protein subunits. Major phycobiliproteins include phycocyanin (PC), allophycocyanin (APC), and phycoerythrin (PE), each distinguished by distinct absorption and emission spectra. Beyond their colorful properties, PBs exhibit a broad spectrum of biological activities, including antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and antidiabetic effects, making them valuable for pharmaceutical, biotechnological, and medical purposes. The extraction and purification methods for PBs have been optimized to enhance their bioavailability and stability, opening new avenues for industrial production. For this review, a comprehensive literature search was conducted using scientific databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, prioritizing peer-reviewed articles published between 2000 and 2025, with an emphasis on recent advances from the last five years, using keywords such as “phycobiliproteins”, “phycobilins”, “bioactivities”, “therapeutic applications”, and “industrial use”. Studies were selected based on their relevance to the biological, technological, and pharmacological applications of PBPs and PBs. This review explores the diverse applications of PBs in therapeutic, diagnostic, and environmental fields, highlighting their potential as natural alternatives in the treatment of various diseases. The future perspectives for PBs focus on their incorporation into innovative drug delivery systems, biocompatible materials, and functional foods, presenting exciting opportunities for advancing human health and well-being. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Marine-Derived Pigments)
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23 pages, 1840 KiB  
Review
Distribution, Biosynthesis, and Function of Carotenoids in Oxygenic Phototrophic Algae
by Shinichi Takaichi
Mar. Drugs 2025, 23(2), 62; https://doi.org/10.3390/md23020062 - 31 Jan 2025
Viewed by 1179
Abstract
For photosynthesis, oxygenic phototrophic organisms necessarily contain not only chlorophylls but also carotenoids. Various carotenoids have been identified in algae and taxonomic studies of algae have been conducted. In this review, the relationship between the distribution of chlorophylls and carotenoids and the phylogeny [...] Read more.
For photosynthesis, oxygenic phototrophic organisms necessarily contain not only chlorophylls but also carotenoids. Various carotenoids have been identified in algae and taxonomic studies of algae have been conducted. In this review, the relationship between the distribution of chlorophylls and carotenoids and the phylogeny of sea and freshwater oxygenic phototrophs, including cyanobacteria, red algae, brown algae, and green algae, is summarized. These phototrophs contain division- or class-specific chlorophylls and carotenoids, such as fucoxanthin, peridinin, diadinoxanthin, and siphonaxanthin. The distribution of β-carotene and its derivatives, including β-carotene, zeaxanthin, violaxanthin, neoxanthin, diadinoxanthin, fucoxanthin, and peridinin (β-branch carotenoids), are limited to divisions of a part of Rhodophyta, Cryptophyta, Heterokontophyta, Haptophyta, and Dinophyta. Meanwhile, the distribution of α-carotene and its derivatives, such as lutein, loroxanthin, and siphonaxanthin (α-branch carotenoids), are limited to divisions of a part of Rhodophyta (macrophytic type), Cryptophyta, Euglenophyta, Chlorarachniophyta, and Chlorophyta. In addition, carotenogenesis pathways are also discussed based on the chemical structures of carotenoids and the known characteristics of carotenogenesis enzymes in other organisms. The specific genes and enzymes for carotenogenesis in algae are not yet known. Most carotenoids bind to membrane-bound pigment-protein complexes, such as reaction centers and light-harvesting complexes. Some carotenoids function in photosynthesis and are briefly summarized. Water-soluble peridinin-chlorophyll a-protein (PCP) and orange carotenoid protein (OCP) have also been characterized. This review is a summary and update from the previous review on the distribution of major carotenoids, primary carotenogenesis pathways, and the characteristics of carotenogenesis enzymes and genes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Marine-Derived Pigments)
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