Novel Applications and Technologies for the Industrial Exploitation of Algal Derived Marine Bioactives as Nutraceuticals or Pharmaceuticals 2.0

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 March 2023) | Viewed by 6308

Special Issue Editors

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Following the success of the Special Issue “Novel Applications and Technologies for the Industrial Exploitation of Algal-Derived Marine Bioactives as Nutraceuticals or Pharmaceuticals”, we are delighted to edit the second Special Issue (2.0) on this topical area. Algae (microalgae and seaweed) have attracted the attention of the pharmaceutical and, recently, the food industry due to the wide variety of active molecules or bioactives produced by this biomass. Amongst these compounds, polysaccharides, fatty acids, proteins, polyphenols, diterpenes, steroids, and alkaloids have promising applications as pharmaceuticals, cosmeceuticals, and nutraceuticals. Innovative and emerging technologies including but not limited to ultrasounds, microwaves, electric fields, high-pressure, supercritical fluids, and ionic fluids are currently being explored throughout multiple stages during the cultivation of algae as well as during the pre-treatment, extraction, isolation/purification, and preservation of biomolecules from algae. This Special Issue invites research papers, reviews, short communications, and perspectives on the use of algal biomass, including new cultivation and exploitation models or knowledge on algal biomass, as well as novel technologies for the pre-treatment, extraction, isolation-purification, characterization, and preservation of marine compounds from algae, also giving preference to novel research related to algal bioactives with clear and demonstrated industrial applications and focus demonstrated through their biological properties.

Dr. Marco García-Vaquero
Prof. Dr. Brijesh K. Tiwari
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • nutraceutical
  • pharmaceuticals
  • cosmeceuticals
  • functional food
  • algae cultivation
  • biomass characterization
  • green extraction
  • innovative technology
  • purification
  • preservation
  • biological properties

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

20 pages, 1083 KiB  
Article
Preparation and Characterization of a Multicomponent Arthrospira platensis Biomass Hydrolysate with Superior Anti-Hypertensive, Anti-Hyperlipidemic and Antioxidant Activities via Selective Proteolysis
by Cristina Otero and Carlos M. Verdasco-Martín
Mar. Drugs 2023, 21(4), 255; https://doi.org/10.3390/md21040255 - 20 Apr 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2303
Abstract
Arthrospira platensis biomass is a sustainable source of bioactive products for the food, cosmetic, and medicine industries. As well as primary metabolites, different secondary metabolites can be obtained via distinct enzymatic degradation of biomass. In this work, different hydrophilic extracts were obtained after [...] Read more.
Arthrospira platensis biomass is a sustainable source of bioactive products for the food, cosmetic, and medicine industries. As well as primary metabolites, different secondary metabolites can be obtained via distinct enzymatic degradation of biomass. In this work, different hydrophilic extracts were obtained after treating the biomass with: (i) a serine endo-peptidase (Alcalase®), (ii) a mixture of amino-, dipeptidyl-, and endo-peptidases (Flavourzyme®), (iii) a mixture of endo-1,3(4)-β-glucanase and an endo-1,4-xylanase, and β-glucanase (Ultraflo®), and (iv) an exo-1,3-glucanase (Vinoflow®) (all the enzymes from Novozymes A/S (bagsvaerd, Denmark)); with subsequent extraction of the biocomponents with an isopropanol/hexane mixture. The composition of each aqueous phase extract (in terms of amino acids, peptides, oligo-elements, carbohydrates, and phenols) and their in vitro functional properties were compared. The conditions described in this work using the enzyme Alcalase® permits the extraction of eight distinctive peptides. This extract is 7.3 times more anti-hypertensive, 106 times more anti-hypertriglyceridemic, 26 times more hypocholesterolemic, has 4.4 times more antioxidant activities, and has 2.3 times more phenols, than the extract obtained without any prior enzyme biomass digestion. Alcalase® extract is an advantageous product with potential application in functional food, pharmaceutics, and cosmetics. Full article
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20 pages, 4039 KiB  
Article
Carrageenophyte Kappaphycus malesianus Inhibits Microglia-Mediated Neuroinflammation via Suppression of AKT/NF-κB and ERK Signaling Pathways
by Nicole Jean-Yean Lai, Ee-Ling Ngu, Jun-Rui Pang, Kah-Hui Wong, Chrismawan Ardianto, Long Chiau Ming, Siew-Huah Lim, Shweta Gangasa Walvekar, Ayaz Anwar and Yoon-Yen Yow
Mar. Drugs 2022, 20(8), 534; https://doi.org/10.3390/md20080534 - 20 Aug 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3109
Abstract
Neuroinflammation is an inflammatory response in any part of the central nervous system triggered by the activation of microglia and astrocytes to produce proinflammatory cytokines in the brain. However, overproduction of proinflammatory cytokines further contributes to the development of neurodegenerative disorders. Red seaweed, [...] Read more.
Neuroinflammation is an inflammatory response in any part of the central nervous system triggered by the activation of microglia and astrocytes to produce proinflammatory cytokines in the brain. However, overproduction of proinflammatory cytokines further contributes to the development of neurodegenerative disorders. Red seaweed, Kappaphycus malesianus, is a predominant carrageenophyte commercially cultivated in Semporna, Sabah, Malaysia. It is an important source of raw material for kappa-carrageenan productions in the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries. However, no studies have been conducted focusing on the antineuroinflammatory effects of K. malesianus. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of the antineuroinflammatory activity of K. malesianus extracts (ethyl acetate, ethanol and methanol) on lipopolysaccharide-stimulated BV2 microglia and the underlying mechanisms involved in the regulation of neuroinflammatory pathways. Extract with the most promising antineuroinflammatory activity was analyzed using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Our results show that methanol extract has a convincing antineuroinflammatory effect by suppressing both AKT/NF-κB and ERK signaling pathways to inhibit the expression of all proinflammatory cytokines without causing a cytotoxicity effect. LC-MS analysis of methanol extract revealed two compounds: prosopinine and eplerenone. Our findings indicated that metabolites of K. malesianus are potent antineuroinflammatory agents with respect to prevention of neurological disorders. Full article
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