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Nutritional Content, Biologically Active Compounds, and Correlated Health Impacts of Seaweed as a Resource for Nutraceutical, Cosmetic, and Pharmaceutical Applications

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 3987

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Carlos Cardoso

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Division of Aquaculture, Upgrading and Bioprospection, IPMA, I.P.—Portuguese Institute for the Sea and Atmosphere, Av. Dr. Alfredo Magalhães Ramalho 6, 1495-165 Lisboa, Portugal
Interests: marine seaweed; bioprospection; biologically active compounds; extraction techniques; nutraceuticals; cosmeceuticals; supplements; application design and development
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Cláudia Afonso

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Division of Aquaculture, Upgrading and Bioprospection, IPMA, I.P.—Portuguese Institute for the Sea and Atmosphere, Av. Dr. Alfredo Magalhães Ramalho 6, 1495-165 Lisboa, Portugal
Interests: marine seaweed; food quality and safety; nutrients and contaminants; bioaccessibility/bioavailability; risk-benefit assessment; functional food

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Seaweeds are a broad group of very relevant marine organisms, encompassing green, red, and brown macroalgae, that are still insufficiently studied, underexplored, and also undervalued. Their biomass contains key nutrients and biologically active compounds that can be supplied to humans in an environmentally sustainable and natural way by some seaweed species, namely iodine, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory compounds,etc. Given this diversity and high potential, the treasure trove of biologically active substances requires valorization through biochemical analysis and selective extraction/isolation. Any attained extract will need to be safe and fully biochemically characterized, including the nutritional content, its biological activity, and the determination of related bioactive compounds, thus paving the way for further purification and gaining knowledge on their functionality. Biomass and extracts shall be valorized by the design and development of nutraceutical, cosmeceutical, pharmaceutical, and biotechnological applications. These must also be assessed with a focus on balancing the risks and benefits and maximizing the positive health impacts.

Dr. Carlos Cardoso
Dr. Cláudia Afonso
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
  • biologically active compounds
  • extraction techniques
  • health impacts
  • nutraceuticals
  • cosmeceuticals
  • pharmaceutical applications
  • functional food study

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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20 pages, 1095 KB  
Article
Sustainable Extraction of Prospective Cosmetic Ingredients from Colombian Marine Macroalgae Using Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents
by Verónica María Tamayo-Rincón, Jhonny Colorado-Ríos, Didier Johan Alvarez-Bustamante, Vanessa Urrea-Victoria, Diana Margarita Márquez-Fernández, Constain H. Salamanca, Stefano Dall’Acqua, Leonardo Castellanos-Hernandez and Alejandro Martínez-Martínez
Mar. Drugs 2025, 23(6), 239; https://doi.org/10.3390/md23060239 - 30 May 2025
Viewed by 812
Abstract
This study presents the results obtained from extracting and quantifying cosmetically valuable metabolites such as phenolic compounds and mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) from 12 samples of marine macroalgae collected in the Colombian Caribbean Sea. Natural deep eutectic solvents (NADESs) were prepared, physicochemically tested [...] Read more.
This study presents the results obtained from extracting and quantifying cosmetically valuable metabolites such as phenolic compounds and mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) from 12 samples of marine macroalgae collected in the Colombian Caribbean Sea. Natural deep eutectic solvents (NADESs) were prepared, physicochemically tested (viscosity, surface tension, pH, and conductivity), and then compared with water as the reference solvent to quantify phenolic compounds using the Folin–Ciocalteau test. With a simple extraction assay with water and ultrasound followed by ultraviolet spectral scanning the presence of MAAs was easily determined in several of the analysed samples, and then they were identified by HPLC-DAD. Hydrochloric acid solution at 5% extracted a higher content of phenolic compounds than NADES and water. The NADES that showed the highest phenolic compound extraction yield was a mixture of betaine, glucose, and water with 1:1:5 molar ratio. Sargassum cf. ramifolium and Sargassum fluitans showed the highest contents of phenolic compounds extracted with NADES, with 29.2 and 21.9 mg GAE/g DW, respectively. The results show that NADESs are an interesting alternative for the more efficient extraction of cosmetically valuable compounds such as phenolic compounds and mycosporine-type amino acids from marine macroalgae. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutritional Content, Biologically Active Compounds, and Correlated Health Impacts of Seaweed as a Resource for Nutraceutical, Cosmetic, and Pharmaceutical Applications)
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18 pages, 504 KB  
Article
Overcoming Extraction Hurdles and Assessing Biological Activity in a Major Invasive Seaweed Species in Europe, Rugulopteryx okamurae
by Carolina Paulo, Joana Matos, Cláudia Afonso and Carlos Cardoso
Mar. Drugs 2025, 23(4), 141; https://doi.org/10.3390/md23040141 - 25 Mar 2025
Viewed by 737
Abstract
The brown seaweed Rugulopteryx okamurae is a major invasive species in Europe, menacing local ecosystems. The challenge lies in assessing application routes for this biomass, testing different extraction technologies (overnight agitation, mechanical homogenization, pH-shift, ionic liquid-, and ultrasound-assisted extractions) and parameters. There was [...] Read more.
The brown seaweed Rugulopteryx okamurae is a major invasive species in Europe, menacing local ecosystems. The challenge lies in assessing application routes for this biomass, testing different extraction technologies (overnight agitation, mechanical homogenization, pH-shift, ionic liquid-, and ultrasound-assisted extractions) and parameters. There was a higher yield in the extracts homogenized with 70% ethanol, especially with 1:20, w/v, biomass–solvent ratio, than in aqueous extracts. As to overnight agitation, 70% ethanol produced results (24.5–28.3%) similar to those found in the homogenized extracts. However, in the former, the best biomass–solvent proportion was 1:10, w/v. Mineral matter yield presented specific patterns, reaching 59.6 ± 1.1% (70% ethanol) and 82.3 ± 0.1% (water). The highest total polyphenol level was attained in the 70% ethanol, 1:20, w/v, extract, 310.7 ± 22.1 mg GAE/100 g dw seaweed. This extract had a higher FRAP/ABTS. The extract attained with overnight agitation, 70% ethanol, 1:10, w/v, had 48% COX-2 inhibition as anti-inflammatory activity. Besides showing the potential of R. okamurae for pharmacological purposes, especially in the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory area, this study enabled us to rank technologies and conditions for the utilization of this abundant biomass resource by the industry. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutritional Content, Biologically Active Compounds, and Correlated Health Impacts of Seaweed as a Resource for Nutraceutical, Cosmetic, and Pharmaceutical Applications)
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Review

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29 pages, 3932 KB  
Review
Overview of Primary and Secondary Metabolites of Rugulopteryx okamurae Seaweed: Assessing Bioactivity, Scalability, and Molecular Mechanisms
by Ana Minerva García-Cervantes, José A. M. Prates and José Luis Guil-Guerrero
Mar. Drugs 2025, 23(9), 351; https://doi.org/10.3390/md23090351 (registering DOI) - 30 Aug 2025
Abstract
Rugulopteryx okamurae is an invasive brown alga that has colonised Mediterranean and northeastern Atlantic coastlines, posing significant ecological and economic challenges. Its biomass is rich in structurally diverse metabolites—including polysaccharides (alginate, fucoidan, laminaran), phlorotannins, diterpenoids, fatty acids, and peptides—many of which exhibit notable [...] Read more.
Rugulopteryx okamurae is an invasive brown alga that has colonised Mediterranean and northeastern Atlantic coastlines, posing significant ecological and economic challenges. Its biomass is rich in structurally diverse metabolites—including polysaccharides (alginate, fucoidan, laminaran), phlorotannins, diterpenoids, fatty acids, and peptides—many of which exhibit notable antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anticancer activities. Comparative assessment of extraction yields, structural features, and bioactivity data highlights phlorotannins and diterpenoids as particularly promising, demonstrating low-micromolar potencies and favourable predicted interactions with key inflammatory and apoptotic targets. Algal polysaccharides exhibit various bioactivities but hold strong potential for scalable and sustainable industrial applications. Emerging compound classes such as fatty acids and peptides display niche bioactivities; however, their structural diversity and mechanisms of action remain insufficiently explored. Insights from in vitro and in silico studies suggest that phlorotannins may modulate NF-κB and MAPK signalling pathways, while diterpenoids are implicated in the induction of mitochondrial apoptosis. Despite these findings, inconsistent extraction methodologies and a lack of in vivo pharmacokinetic and efficacy data limit translational potential. To overcome these limitations, standardized extraction protocols, detailed structure–activity relationship (SAR) and pharmacokinetic studies, and robust in vivo models are urgently needed. Bioactivity-guided valorisation strategies, aligned with ecological management, could transform R. okamurae biomass into a sustainable source for functional foods, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutritional Content, Biologically Active Compounds, and Correlated Health Impacts of Seaweed as a Resource for Nutraceutical, Cosmetic, and Pharmaceutical Applications)
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26 pages, 399 KB  
Review
Therapeutic and Nutraceutical Potential of Sargassum Species: A Narrative Review
by Alejandra Torres-Narváez, Andrea Margarita Olvera-Ramírez, Karen Castaño-Sánchez, Jorge Luis Chávez-Servín, Tércia Cesária Reis de Souza, Neil Ross McEwan and Roberto Augusto Ferriz-Martínez
Mar. Drugs 2025, 23(9), 343; https://doi.org/10.3390/md23090343 - 28 Aug 2025
Viewed by 405
Abstract
In the face of agricultural and environmental crises, the ocean and its diverse abundance of species have garnered attention as sources of beneficial compounds for humans, offering sustainable solutions across various sectors with minimal environmental impact. Sargassum, a genus of macroalgae, has [...] Read more.
In the face of agricultural and environmental crises, the ocean and its diverse abundance of species have garnered attention as sources of beneficial compounds for humans, offering sustainable solutions across various sectors with minimal environmental impact. Sargassum, a genus of macroalgae, has long been used in alternative medicine and culinary applications. This genus encompasses a wide variety of species, many of which contain bioactive compounds with significant therapeutic potential that remain under investigation. Some Sargassum species not only represent a valuable resource but also pose challenges due to their overgrowth, making their utilization both essential and strategic. In this narrative review we highlight many of the major physiological effects of these compounds, concentrating on their promising role in addressing global challenges. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutritional Content, Biologically Active Compounds, and Correlated Health Impacts of Seaweed as a Resource for Nutraceutical, Cosmetic, and Pharmaceutical Applications)
16 pages, 1679 KB  
Review
Unraveling of Seaweed Bioactive Substances and Their Nutritional Regulation Functions for Poultry
by Si-Bing Li, Qing-Hua Yao, Xue-Qing Ye, Balamuralikrishnan Balasubramanian and Wen-Chao Liu
Mar. Drugs 2025, 23(8), 324; https://doi.org/10.3390/md23080324 - 10 Aug 2025
Viewed by 546
Abstract
Seaweed is a rich and valuable marine biological resource that contains various bioactive substances, including polysaccharides, polyphenols, fatty acids, and more. These compounds exhibit a range of biological activities, such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, and immunomodulation effects. In the face of challenges related to [...] Read more.
Seaweed is a rich and valuable marine biological resource that contains various bioactive substances, including polysaccharides, polyphenols, fatty acids, and more. These compounds exhibit a range of biological activities, such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, and immunomodulation effects. In the face of challenges related to intensive farming, poultry are often exposed to multiple stressors during production, which can lead to oxidative stress, impaired intestinal barrier function, and excessive inflammatory responses. Due to their potent biological activities, seaweeds and their bioactive components have shown potential in improving poultry health and performance. This paper mainly reviews the classification of seaweeds and their extracts, their main biological functions, and the research progress on the application to poultry, with the aim of providing a reference for the research and application of seaweed active substances as functional feed additives in poultry. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutritional Content, Biologically Active Compounds, and Correlated Health Impacts of Seaweed as a Resource for Nutraceutical, Cosmetic, and Pharmaceutical Applications)
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22 pages, 5066 KB  
Review
Sesquiterpenes from Brown Algae
by Irene Moreno-Gutiérrez, Sonia Berenguel-Gómez, Manuel Muñoz-Dorado, Míriam Álvarez-Corral and Ignacio Rodríguez-García
Mar. Drugs 2025, 23(5), 210; https://doi.org/10.3390/md23050210 - 15 May 2025
Viewed by 855
Abstract
Algae are the group that has managed to generate the largest number of compounds and secondary metabolites with different properties, many of them only present in the aquatic kingdom. Among them, brown algae are one of the main producers within marine ecosystems. Furthermore, [...] Read more.
Algae are the group that has managed to generate the largest number of compounds and secondary metabolites with different properties, many of them only present in the aquatic kingdom. Among them, brown algae are one of the main producers within marine ecosystems. Furthermore, one of the main groups of secondary metabolites studied are sesquiterpenes due to the great variety of properties observed, largely due to the great structural variability of these compounds. Many studies have been carried out to isolate and characterize compounds with a sesquiterpene structure from different species of brown algae. This article reviews the natural occurrence of sesquiterpene and derivatives in brown algae. A total of 51 sesquiterpenes isolated from brown algae, having monocyclic, bicyclic, or tricyclic skeletons, as well as 23 sesquiterpenoids with various chemical structures, are depicted. Moreover, there are at least eleven publications focused on the study of the profiles on volatile organic compounds (VOCs) within brown algae, derived using several analytic and extraction techniques, and in the finding of a large variety of structures of sesquiterpenes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutritional Content, Biologically Active Compounds, and Correlated Health Impacts of Seaweed as a Resource for Nutraceutical, Cosmetic, and Pharmaceutical Applications)
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