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Marine Drugs
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Algae Research: From Cultivation to Drugs
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Algae Research: From Cultivation to Drugs

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 August 2026 | Viewed by 1893

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Antonio León-Vaz

E-Mail Website1 Website2
Guest Editor
1. Institute of Sustainable Processes, University of Valladolid, Dr. Mergelina, s/n, 47011 Valladolid, Spain
2. Department of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology, University of Valladolid, Dr. Mergelina, s/n, 47011 Valladolid, Spain
Interests: microalgae; carotenoids; oxidative stress; amino acids; circular economy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Macro- and microalgae are a photosynthetic group of organisms able to produce different metabolites of high interest for pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. Some algae can naturally synthesize different molecules with antioxidant, antimicrobial, cytotoxic, or anticancer capacity, such as carotenoids, fatty acids, polyphenols, or other secondary metabolites.

The interest in studies related to algae-derived natural products with different bioactive capacities has increased in recent years. The high demand for novel cosmetic and pharmaceutical goods has led to an increase in research related to the cultivation, production and purification of natural products from marine organisms.

This Special Issue invites articles (original research and reviews) focusing on marine macro- and microalgae cultivation and the production of compounds that may be useful for the cosmetic or pharmaceutical industries, including primary or secondary metabolites with bioactive properties.

Dr. Antonio León-Vaz
Guest Editor

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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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

  • macroalgae
  • microalgae
  • natural products
  • antioxidant
  • bioactive compounds

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

9 pages, 1046 KB  
Communication
Metformin-like Methylglyoxal Scavengers from Macroalgae Chondrus crispus and Gracilaria vermiculophyla Preserve Cell Viability
by George S. Hanna, Menny M. Benjamin, Latarsha Porcher, Sriram Vijayraghavan, Natalie Saini and Mark T. Hamann
Mar. Drugs 2026, 24(5), 169; https://doi.org/10.3390/md24050169 - 9 May 2026
Viewed by 859
Abstract
A quantitative NMR assay was utilized to identify methylglyoxal-scavenging natural products from Rhodophytes, Chondrus crispus and Gracilaria vermiculophylla. This revealed the activity of guanylurea-containing amino acid derivatives, gongrine and gigartinine. The molecules share structural features with the frontline blood glucose-lowering drug and [...] Read more.
A quantitative NMR assay was utilized to identify methylglyoxal-scavenging natural products from Rhodophytes, Chondrus crispus and Gracilaria vermiculophylla. This revealed the activity of guanylurea-containing amino acid derivatives, gongrine and gigartinine. The molecules share structural features with the frontline blood glucose-lowering drug and plant natural product derivative, metformin, and scavenge methylglyoxal via the same mechanism, resulting in an imidazole-containing Advanced Glycation Endproduct or AGE. The protective effect of the molecules reported here was evaluated in a cell-based model for reactive aldehyde stress using methylglyoxal exposure to reduce cell viability. Gongrine, gigartinine, and metformin all preserve cell viability in HepG2 following methylglyoxal exposure. This is the first report of methylglyoxal scavenging and cell viability protection of these macroalgae-derived guanylurea-containing natural products, which can be found in high abundance in commonly consumed and industrially produced macroalgae species. The compounds presented here, along with their algal sources, offer a unique opportunity to produce guanylureas with therapeutic potential through sustainable production methods from easily cultivated algal sources. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Algae Research: From Cultivation to Drugs)
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25 pages, 1303 KB  
Article
Mixotrophic Cultivation of Limnospira (Spirulina) platensis Using Early-Stage Fig Processing Wastewater: Effects on Biomass Composition, Antioxidants and Phycocyanin
by Luca Franzoso, Luca Usai, Riccardo Allodi, Giacomo Fais, Deborah Dessì, Robinson Soto-Ramirez, Bartolomeo Cosenza, Abderrahim Damergi, Giovanni Antonio Lutzu and Alessandro Concas
Mar. Drugs 2026, 24(5), 163; https://doi.org/10.3390/md24050163 - 5 May 2026
Viewed by 795
Abstract
The valorization of agro-industrial waste streams represents a promising strategy for reducing production costs in microalgae biotechnology while promoting circular economy approaches. In this study, wastewater derived from fig jam processing was evaluated as an organic carbon source for mixotrophic cultivation of Limnospira [...] Read more.
The valorization of agro-industrial waste streams represents a promising strategy for reducing production costs in microalgae biotechnology while promoting circular economy approaches. In this study, wastewater derived from fig jam processing was evaluated as an organic carbon source for mixotrophic cultivation of Limnospira (Spirulina) platensis. Cultures were grown under four conditions: a control medium and three concentrations of fig wastewater (FW) at 0.75%, 1.5%, and 3% (v v−1). The wastewater used in this study originates specifically from the washing and cleaning stages of dried fig processing, representing an early processing stream characterized by relatively high soluble sugar content and low thermal or chemical alteration. Biomass biochemical composition and bioactive compound production were investigated, including carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, photosynthetic pigments, polyphenols, antioxidant activity, and phycocyanin extraction yield and purity. The results showed that fig wastewater supplementation significantly influenced the metabolic profile of L. platensis. The highest protein content was obtained at 0.75% FW (44.90 ± 1.93 g 100 g−1 DW), whereas lipid accumulation increased with FW concentration, reaching 9.45 ± 2.30 g 100 g−1 DW at 3% FW. Antioxidant activity peaked at 1.5% FW (4.33 ± 0.43 μmol Trolox mg−1 DW), suggesting stimulation of oxidative stress response pathways under moderate organic supplementation. Pigment production showed different responses, with relatively stable chlorophyll and carotenoid contents but decreasing phycocyanin levels at higher FW concentrations. Phycocyanin yield decreased from 9.82 ± 1.00 g 100 g−1 DW in the control to 5.80 ± 0.22 g 100 g−1 DW at 3% FW, while purity values were highest at the highest FW concentration. These findings demonstrate that fig processing wastewater can be effectively used as an alternative organic substrate for mixotrophic Spirulina cultivation, enabling simultaneous wastewater valorization and production of biomass rich in proteins and bioactive compounds. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Algae Research: From Cultivation to Drugs)
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