marinedrugs-logo

Journal Browser

Journal Browser

Marine Algae: Unveiling Their Nutritional, Health, and Nutraceutical Potential—2nd Edition

A special issue of Marine Drugs (ISSN 1660-3397). This special issue belongs to the section "Marine-Derived Ingredients for Drugs, Cosmeceuticals and Nutraceuticals".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2025 | Viewed by 660

Special Issue Editors


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
Interests: marine biotechnology; phycology; biodiversity; nutraceuticals
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail
Guest Editor
1. Marine Resources, Conservation and Technology, CFE—Centre for Functional Ecology—Science for People & Planet, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
2. Department of Biology and CESAM, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
Interests: marine biotechnology; biochemical pathways; nutritional content; trophic food webs; biomarkers; aquatic ecology; aquatic ecotoxicology; biosafety; microplastics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Building on the success of our previous Special Issue, Marine Algae: Exploring Their Nutritional, Health, and Nutraceutical Potential (https://www.mdpi.com/journal/marinedrugs/special_issues/5AJ1B44W79), we are pleased to introduce the next installment in this ongoing exploration.

Marine algae (seaweed) continue to gain recognition for their exceptional nutritional value and numerous health benefits, solidifying their role as key contributors to the field of nutraceuticals. This Special Issue of Marine Drugs aims to expand our understanding of the bioactive compounds responsible for the therapeutic potential of seaweed, covering a wide range of topics. Contributions will address the biochemical composition of various species, their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties, as well as their applications in functional foods and dietary supplements.

Furthermore, we welcome research on the sustainability of seaweed harvesting and cultivation, alongside innovative extraction and processing techniques designed to optimize their health-promoting properties. By bringing together cutting-edge findings, this collection aspires to advance the scientific discourse on marine algae and inspire further innovation in the field of marine nutraceuticals.

We look forward to your valuable contributions to this exciting edition.

Dr. Leonel Pereira
Dr. Ana Marta Gonçalves
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

  • seaweed
  • nutritional composition
  • health benefits
  • bioactive compounds
  • antioxidant properties
  • anti-inflammatory effects
  • anti-cancer potential
  • functional foods
  • dietary supplements
  • nutraceuticals
  • sustainability
  • extraction techniques
  • processing methods
  • human health

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Related Special Issue

Published Papers (1 paper)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

23 pages, 2353 KiB  
Article
Seaweeds of the Israeli Mediterranean Sea: Nutritional and Biotechnological Potential Through Seasonal and Species Variation
by Doron Yehoshua Ashkenazi, Félix L. Figueroa, Julia Vega, Shoshana Ben-Valid, Guy Paz, Eitan Salomon, Avigdor Abelson and Álvaro Israel
Mar. Drugs 2025, 23(8), 320; https://doi.org/10.3390/md23080320 - 4 Aug 2025
Viewed by 527
Abstract
Macroalgae (seaweeds) produce unique bioactive metabolites that have enabled their survival for millions of years, offering significant potential for human benefits. In the Israeli Mediterranean Sea, no comprehensive systematic surveys of seaweeds have been published since the 1990s, and their chemical composition remains [...] Read more.
Macroalgae (seaweeds) produce unique bioactive metabolites that have enabled their survival for millions of years, offering significant potential for human benefits. In the Israeli Mediterranean Sea, no comprehensive systematic surveys of seaweeds have been published since the 1990s, and their chemical composition remains largely unexplored. This study presents an extensive survey of intertidal seaweed communities along the shallow Israeli coastline, documenting their spatial, temporal, and biochemical diversity. Of the 320 specimens collected, 55 seaweed species were identified: 29 red (Rhodophyta), 14 brown (Phaeophyceae), and 12 green (Chlorophyta). A significant shift in species abundance was documented, with a single dominant annual bloom occurring during spring, unlike previously reported biannual blooms. Chemical analysis of the dominant species revealed significant seasonal variations in compound levels, with higher protein content in winter and increased antioxidant capacity during spring. Phenolic and natural sunscreen compounds (mycosporine-like amino acids, MAAs) showed no general seasonal trend. These findings highlight the optimal environmental conditions for seaweed growth and underscore their potential for aquaculture and biotechnology. We hypothesize that the ecologically unique conditions of the Israeli Mediterranean Sea may foster resilient seaweed species enriched with distinctive chemical properties, suitable for nutritional, health, pharmaceutical, and nutraceutical applications, particularly as climate-adaptive bioresources. Full article
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

Back to TopTop