Bioactive Compounds Derived from Marine Macrophytes

A special issue of Marine Drugs (ISSN 1660-3397).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (22 April 2022) | Viewed by 36569

Special Issue Editor

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

“Marine macrophytes” is the name given to marine aquatic plants that are large enough to be visible to the naked eye. These marine organisms, including macroalgae, gained attention due to the health benefits and biological activities of their numerous high value compounds, some of them having no equivalent in animals, terrestrial plants, or microorganisms. The inventory of these compounds is poor, and only some of them have been characterized at this time. They can be classified into chemical families such as phenolic compounds, carbohydrates, proteins and peptides, vitamins, pigments, lipids, and others. Many of these compounds were described to have antimicrobial, antioxidant, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory capacities with a great potential for the development of new products for industry. Their screening, structural characterizations, extraction methodologies, and industrial exploitations remain a challenge at several levels, limiting the development of a specific industrial sector. Indeed, sampling and handling the high level of taxonomic diversity of marine macrophytes is not easy, and requires the exploration of numerous and diverse ecological niches, some of them being difficult to access. Moreover, most marine macrophytes with current industrial exploitation are wild plants, and a low portion of them are cultivated as terrestrial ones. So, in the context of global warming, for which numerous impacts on plant and animals will occur, it is desirable to establish a catalogue of bioactive compounds from marine macrophytes and to correlate structures with biological activities. This Special Issue aims to propose to readers recent studies and reviews focusing on bioactive metabolites from marine macrophytes.

Prof. Dr. Philippe Michaud
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • phenolic compounds
  • seaweeds
  • macroalgae
  • polysaccharides
  • mangrove
  • macrophyte

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 603 KiB  
Article
Added Value of Ascophyllum nodosum Side Stream Utilization during Seaweed Meal Processing
by Anna Þóra Hrólfsdóttir, Sigurjón Arason, Hildur Inga Sveinsdóttir and María Gudjónsdóttir
Mar. Drugs 2022, 20(6), 340; https://doi.org/10.3390/md20060340 - 24 May 2022
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3533
Abstract
Ascophyllum nodosum contains many valuable compounds, including polyphenols, peptides, and carotenoids that have been shown to exhibit biological activities. These compounds are not a priority ingredient in seaweed meal products for the current users. Hence, the aim of the study was to investigate [...] Read more.
Ascophyllum nodosum contains many valuable compounds, including polyphenols, peptides, and carotenoids that have been shown to exhibit biological activities. These compounds are not a priority ingredient in seaweed meal products for the current users. Hence, the aim of the study was to investigate the chemical and bioactive characteristics of A. nodosum as affected by seasonal variation and evaluate the potential benefits of alternative processing and the utilization of side streams for product development. The analysis of raw materials, press liquid, and press cake from alternative processing and the commercial seaweed meal at different harvesting periods indicated that the chemical composition is linked to the reproductive state of the algae. Phenolic content and ORAC activity increased following the seaweed’s fertile period, making alternative processing more promising in July and October compared to June. Several valuable ingredients were obtained in the press liquid, including polyphenols, which can be used in the development of new high-value bioactive products. The suggested alternative processing does not have a negative effect on the composition and quality of the current seaweed meal products. Hence, the extraction of valuable ingredients from the fresh biomass during the processing of seaweed meal could be a feasible option to increase the value and sustainability of seaweed processing. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Compounds Derived from Marine Macrophytes)
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21 pages, 6084 KiB  
Article
BDDE-Inspired Chalcone Derivatives to Fight Bacterial and Fungal Infections
by Ana Jesus, Fernando Durães, Nikoletta Szemerédi, Joana Freitas-Silva, Paulo Martins da Costa, Eugénia Pinto, Madalena Pinto, Gabriella Spengler, Emília Sousa and Honorina Cidade
Mar. Drugs 2022, 20(5), 315; https://doi.org/10.3390/md20050315 - 8 May 2022
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 4638
Abstract
The growing number of infectious diseases around the world threatens the effective response of antibiotics, contributing to the increase in antibiotic resistance seen as a global health problem. Currently, one of the main challenges in antimicrobial drug discovery is the search for new [...] Read more.
The growing number of infectious diseases around the world threatens the effective response of antibiotics, contributing to the increase in antibiotic resistance seen as a global health problem. Currently, one of the main challenges in antimicrobial drug discovery is the search for new compounds that not only exhibit antimicrobial activity, but can also potentiate the antimicrobial activity and revert antibiotics’ resistance, through the interference with several mechanisms, including the inhibition of efflux pumps (EPs) and biofilm formation. Inspired by macroalgae brominated bromophenol BDDE with antimicrobial activity, a series of 18 chalcone derivatives, including seven chalcones (915), six dihydrochalcones (1618, and 2224) and five diarylpropanes (1921, and 25 and 26), was prepared and evaluated for its antimicrobial activity and potential to fight antibiotic resistance. Among them, chalcones 13 and 14 showed promising antifungal activity against the dermatophyte clinical strain of Trichophyton rubrum, and all compounds reversed the resistance to vancomycin in Enterococcus faecalis B3/101, with 9, 14, and 24 able to cause a four-fold decrease in the MIC of vancomycin against this strain. Compounds 1724 displayed inhibition of EPs and the formation of biofilm by S. aureus 272123, suggesting that these compounds are inhibiting the EPs responsible for the extrusion of molecules involved in biofilm-related mechanisms. Interestingly, compounds 1724 did not show cytotoxicity in mouse embryonic fibroblast cell lines (NIH/3T3). Overall, the results obtained suggest the potential of dihydrochalcones 1618 and 2224, and diarylpropanes 1921, 25 and 26, as hits for bacterial EPs inhibition, as they are effective in the inhibition of EPs, but present other features that are important in this matter, such as the lack of antibacterial activity and cytotoxicity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Compounds Derived from Marine Macrophytes)
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9 pages, 1745 KiB  
Article
Chemical Composition and In Vitro Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of the Marine Cyanolichen Lichina pygmaea Volatile Compounds
by Hiba Sanad, Zahira Belattmania, Ahmed Nafis, Meryem Hassouani, Noureddine Mazoir, Abdeltif Reani, Lahcen Hassani, Vitor Vasconcelos and Brahim Sabour
Mar. Drugs 2022, 20(3), 169; https://doi.org/10.3390/md20030169 - 25 Feb 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2985
Abstract
Volatile compounds from the marine cyanolichen Lichina pygmaea, collected from the Moroccan Atlantic coast, were extracted by hydrodistillation and their putative chemical composition was investigated by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Based on the obtained results, Lichina pygmaea volatile compounds [...] Read more.
Volatile compounds from the marine cyanolichen Lichina pygmaea, collected from the Moroccan Atlantic coast, were extracted by hydrodistillation and their putative chemical composition was investigated by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Based on the obtained results, Lichina pygmaea volatile compounds (LPVCs) were mainly dominated by sesquiterpenes compounds, where γ-himachalene, β-himachalene, (2E,4E)-2,4 decadienal and α-himachalene were assumed to be the most abundant constituents, with percentage of 37.51%, 11.71%, 8.59% and 7.62%, respectively. LPVCs depicted significant antimicrobial activity against all tested strains (Staphylococcus aureus CCMM B3, Pseudomonas aeruginosa DSM 50090, Escherichia coli ATCC 8739 and Candida albicans CCMM-L4) with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values within the range of 1.69–13.5 mg/mL. Moreover, this LPVC showed interesting scavenging effects on the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical with an IC50 of 0.21 mg/mL. LPVCs could be an approving resource with moderate antimicrobial potential and interesting antioxidant activity for cosmetics and pharmaceutical applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Compounds Derived from Marine Macrophytes)
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10 pages, 1511 KiB  
Article
Gracilaria gracilis (Gracilariales, Rhodophyta) from Dakhla (Southern Moroccan Atlantic Coast) as Source of Agar: Content, Chemical Characteristics, and Gelling Properties
by Zahira Belattmania, Sanaa Bhaby, Amal Nadri, Khaoulaa Khaya, Fouad Bentiss, Charafeddine Jama, Abdeltif Reani, Vitor Vasconcelos and Brahim Sabour
Mar. Drugs 2021, 19(12), 672; https://doi.org/10.3390/md19120672 - 26 Nov 2021
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 4267
Abstract
Agar is a sulfated polysaccharide extracted from certain marine red algae, and its gel properties depend on the seaweed source and extraction conditions. In the present study, the seaweed Gracilaria gracilis (Gracilariales, Rhodophyta) from Dakhla (Moroccan Atlantic Coast) was investigated for its agar [...] Read more.
Agar is a sulfated polysaccharide extracted from certain marine red algae, and its gel properties depend on the seaweed source and extraction conditions. In the present study, the seaweed Gracilaria gracilis (Gracilariales, Rhodophyta) from Dakhla (Moroccan Atlantic Coast) was investigated for its agar content, structure, and gel properties. The agar yields of G. gracilis were 20.5% and 15.6% from alkaline pretreatment and native extraction, respectively. Agar with alkaline pretreatment showed a better gelling property supported by higher gel strength (377 g·cm−2), gelling (35.4 °C), and melting (82.1 °C) temperatures with a notable increase in 3,6-anhydro-galactose (11.85%) and decrease in sulphate (0.32%) contents. The sulfate falling subsequent to alkaline pretreatment was verified through FT-IR spectroscopy. The 13C NMR spectroscopy showed that alkaline-pretreated agar has a typical unsubstituted agar pattern. However, native agar had a partially methylated agarose structure. Overall, this study suggested the possibility of the exploitation of G. gracilis to produce a fine-quality agar. Yet, further investigation may need to determine the seasonal variability of this biopolymer according to the life cycle of G. gracilis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Compounds Derived from Marine Macrophytes)
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Review

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18 pages, 1951 KiB  
Review
Structures, Properties and Applications of Alginates
by Roya Abka-khajouei, Latifa Tounsi, Nasim Shahabi, Anil Kumar Patel, Slim Abdelkafi and Philippe Michaud
Mar. Drugs 2022, 20(6), 364; https://doi.org/10.3390/md20060364 - 29 May 2022
Cited by 182 | Viewed by 14459
Abstract
Alginate is a hydrocolloid from algae, specifically brown algae, which is a group that includes many of the seaweeds, like kelps and an extracellular polymer of some bacteria. Sodium alginate is one of the best-known members of the hydrogel group. The hydrogel is [...] Read more.
Alginate is a hydrocolloid from algae, specifically brown algae, which is a group that includes many of the seaweeds, like kelps and an extracellular polymer of some bacteria. Sodium alginate is one of the best-known members of the hydrogel group. The hydrogel is a water-swollen and cross-linked polymeric network produced by the simple reaction of one or more monomers. It has a linear (unbranched) structure based on d-mannuronic and l-guluronic acids. The placement of these monomers depending on the source of its production is alternating, sequential and random. The same arrangement of monomers can affect the physical and chemical properties of this polysaccharide. This polyuronide has a wide range of applications in various industries including the food industry, medicine, tissue engineering, wastewater treatment, the pharmaceutical industry and fuel. It is generally recognized as safe when used in accordance with good manufacturing or feeding practice. This review discusses its application in addition to its structural, physical, and chemical properties. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Compounds Derived from Marine Macrophytes)
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15 pages, 1755 KiB  
Review
Algae-Derived Anti-Inflammatory Compounds against Particulate Matters-Induced Respiratory Diseases: A Systematic Review
by Pek Xyen Tan, Krishnapriya Thiyagarasaiyar, Cheng-Yau Tan, You-Jin Jeon, Mohd Shahrul Mohd Nadzir, Yong-Jiang Wu, Liang-Ee Low, Atanas G. Atanasov, Long Chiau Ming, Kai Bin Liew, Bey-Hing Goh and Yoon-Yen Yow
Mar. Drugs 2021, 19(6), 317; https://doi.org/10.3390/md19060317 - 30 May 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 5215
Abstract
Air pollution has recently become a subject of increasing concern in many parts of the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that nearly 4.2 million early deaths are due to exposure to fine particles in polluted air, which causes multiple respiratory diseases. [...] Read more.
Air pollution has recently become a subject of increasing concern in many parts of the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that nearly 4.2 million early deaths are due to exposure to fine particles in polluted air, which causes multiple respiratory diseases. Algae, as a natural product, can be an alternative treatment due to potential biofunctional properties and advantages. This systematic review aims to summarize and evaluate the evidence of metabolites derived from algae as potential anti-inflammatory agents against respiratory disorders induced by atmospheric particulate matter (PM). Databases such as Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed were systematically searched for relevant published full articles from 2016 to 2020. The main key search terms were limited to “algae”, “anti-inflammation”, and “air pollutant”. The search activity resulted in the retrieval of a total of 36 publications. Nine publications are eligible for inclusion in this systematic review. A total of four brown algae (Ecklonia cava, Ishige okamurae, Sargassum binderi and Sargassum horneri) with phytosterol, polysaccharides and polyphenols were reported in the nine studies. The review sheds light on the pathways of particulate matter travelling into respiratory systems and causing inflammation, and on the mechanisms of actions of algae in inhibiting inflammation. Limitations and future directions are also discussed. More research is needed to investigate the potential of algae as anti-inflammatory agents against PM in in vivo and in vitro experimental models, as well as clinically. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Compounds Derived from Marine Macrophytes)
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