Search Results (338)

Phaeodactylum tricornutum was cultivated in a 1000 L photobioreactors using f/2 medium. The resulting algal biomass contained 24.5% lipids, 37.8% protein, 19.4% carbohydrates, and had a gross energy content of 19.8 MJ/kg. These components were sequentially extracted. The ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS) analysis of lipids revealed 35 triacylglycerols, a wide range of galactolipids and phospholipids including a novel sulfoquinovosyl diacylglycerol (SQDG), namely SQDG(C16:1/C24:0), characterized by mass fragmentation analysis. Additionally, three sulfoquinovosyl monoacylglycerols (SQMGs) with C14:0, C16:0, and C16:1 fatty acyl chain were detected in P. tricornutum for the first time. Fatty acid analysis further confirmed that P. tricornutum is an excellent source of ecosapentaenoic acid, which is predominantly present in triacylglycerol and glycolipid forms. CombiFlash chromatography allowed for the separation of monogalactosyldiacylglycerols, digalactosyldicylglycerols, SQDGs and phosphatidycholines, and their structure were confirmed by NMR spectral analysis. Fucoxanthin was the major carotenoid, and the study showed all essential amino acids required for humans and fish were present in it. A two-phase in vitro gastric/pancreatic digestibility assay showed high protein digestibility for both whole biomass (89%) and protein isolate (77%). Monosaccharide analysis showed that polysaccharides extracted by EtOH precipitation after alkaline extraction and by hot water extraction contained similar monomers with different relative intensities. Protein isolates and polysaccharides exhibited antioxidant properties. Full article

Obesity is a chronic systemic disorder frequently associated with multiorgan complications of inflammatory and metabolic origin. This study aimed to evaluate the histoprotective effects of Sargassum muticum, an invasive brown seaweed harvested from the Moroccan Atlantic coast, in cafeteria diet-induced obese rats. Thirty-five Wistar rats were divided into five groups: standard control, obese control (cafeteria diet), two obese groups treated with Sargassum muticum at 10% and 20%, and one group treated with orlistat at 30 mg/kg. After eight weeks, tissue samples were collected for a histopathological analysis. In untreated obese rats, histological examination revealed multiple abnormalities, including submucosal edema, vascular congestion, gastric inflammatory infiltration, pulmonary hemorrhage and lipid vacuoles, as well as hepatic, cardiac, pancreatic, and testicular lesions. Treatment with S. muticum, particularly at 20%, markedly improved these alterations, characterized by a significant reduction in inflammatory infiltration, vascular congestion, lipid vacuolization, and tissue degeneration, together with improved preservation of tissue architecture. These effects were superior to those observed with orlistat. The anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and metabolic properties of S. muticum are likely due to its richness in bioactive compounds, notably phlorotannins, fucoxanthin, and sulfated polysaccharides. These findings confirm the therapeutic potential of S. muticum in preventing histopathological complications of obesity and pave the way for translational studies and potential nutraceutical applications in human obesity management. Full article

Modulation of the gut microbiota represents a promising approach to counteract diet-induced metabolic alterations, with microalgae emerging as potential interventions. Building on our previous in vivo evidence that dietary supplementation with the marine microalga Tisochrysis lutea F&M-M36 (T. lutea) positively modulates selected metabolic alterations under high-fat feeding, the present study aimed to identify potential associations between these metabolic changes and coordinated modifications of the gut microbiota. Animals were fed normal-fat (NF), high-fat (HF), or HF supplemented with 5% T. lutea (HFTiso) diets for three months. Gut microbial profiles were analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing and correlated with plasma lipids, glucose, blood pressure, fecal lipid excretion, and adiponectin levels. T. lutea supplementation was associated with significant modulation of selected metabolic parameters and coherent alterations in gut microbial communities. Multivariate analyses revealed treatment-dependent clustering of metabolic profiles, with HFTiso forming an intermediate group between HF and NF diets. Beta-diversity analyses showed marked treatment-specific shifts, while alpha-diversity remained stable. Linear discriminant analysis identified 31 discriminative genera, with the HFTiso group enriched in taxa associated with fermentative metabolism and lipid-related metabolic pathways including Anaerotruncus, Marvinbryantia, and Eubacterium coprostanoligenes, while the HF group was linked to Clostridium sensu stricto 1 and Terrisporobacter. Positive correlations between HFTiso-associated taxa and adiponectin levels were consistent with microbiota-associated metabolic signatures. In parallel, T. lutea supplementation was associated with downregulation of colonic Niemann-Pick C1-like 1 (NPC1L1) mRNA expression, a key mediator of intestinal cholesterol uptake. The bioactivity of T. lutea likely reflects its content of polyunsaturated fatty acids, oleic acid, phytosterols, and fucoxanthin; however, whether these components act synergistically or whether specific bioactive compounds are primarily responsible remains to be clarified. Together, these findings indicate that T. lutea supplementation is associated with coordinated changes in gut microbiota composition and transcriptional modulation of the intestinal cholesterol transporter NPC1L1 in the context of selected early-stage metabolic alterations under high-fat feeding. While direct extrapolation to humans remains limited, these results suggest potential translational relevance of T. lutea as a nutraceutical approach targeting early-stage metabolic dysregulation. Future studies will be required to determine the mechanistic contribution of individual bioactive components and to assess whether microbiota- and gene expression-associated changes play a causal role in mediating the observed metabolic outcomes, thereby informing the rational development of T. lutea-derived interventions. Full article

Introduction: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver malignancy and remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Despite recent advances in immunotherapy and targeted agents, treatment efficacy is frequently limited by tumor heterogeneity, drug resistance, and systemic toxicity. Natural products, particularly carotenoid-derived compounds, have emerged as promising multi-target anticancer agents. Xanthophylls, a class of oxygenated carotenoids, exhibit pleiotropic biological activities that are relevant to cancer therapy; however, their potential against HCC remains incompletely explored. This study aimed to systematically evaluate the anti-HCC potential of xanthophyll-rich extracts from Garcinia dulcis pulp using integrated metabolomic, in silico, and in vitro approaches. Methods: Xanthophyll-rich extracts from G. dulcis pulp were prepared using microwave-assisted extraction. Phytochemical profiling was performed using UHPLC–ESI–MS/MS. In silico analyses included bioactivity prediction, ADMET profiling, target identification, network pharmacology, pathway enrichment, and molecular docking against key HCC-related proteins (EGFR, BCL-2, and mTOR). In vitro antiproliferative activity was assessed using MTT assays on HepG2 and Huh7 hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines, with THLE-2 normal hepatocytes used as controls. Results: Metabolomic analysis revealed a xanthophyll-dominated profile, with zeaxanthin and lutein as the major constituents, alongside fucoxanthin, astaxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin, β-carotene, and canthaxanthin. In silico predictions demonstrated high antineoplastic and pro-apoptotic activities, with strong involvement in the HIF-1, EGFR, PD-1/PD-L1, JAK–STAT, and mTOR signaling pathways. Molecular docking confirmed stable and high-affinity interactions of xanthophylls with EGFR, BCL-2, and mTOR. In vitro assays showed selective cytotoxicity against HCC cells, with IC₅₀ values of 42.8 ± 3.6 µg/mL (HepG2) and 58.4 ± 4.9 µg/mL (Huh7), while exhibiting significantly lower toxicity toward normal hepatocytes. Conclusions: Xanthophyll-rich extracts from Garcinia dulcis pulp exhibit potent and selective anti-hepatocellular carcinoma activity through multi-target mechanisms involving oncogenic signaling, apoptosis regulation, and tumor metabolism. These findings support the translational potential of G. dulcis xanthophylls as promising natural candidates for further development in HCC therapy. Full article

Phaeodactylum tricornutum is one of the most well-characterized microalgae and serves as a pivotal model diatom in global carbon fixation and the mediation of biogeochemical cycling of essential nutrients. Over the past few decades, the availability of a complete genome assembly, coupled with the development of robust DNA manipulation tools and efficient DNA delivery methodologies, has established P. tricornutum as a promising photosynthetic chassis for the sustainable bioproduction of high-value compounds, including fucoxanthin and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). This review systematically summarizes the research progress in the strain improvement toolkit of P. tricornutum, encompassing both genetic and non-genetic engineering strategies. It elaborates on the types and applications of its representative bioactive products, as well as the molecular mechanisms underlying key synthetic pathways. Additionally, this work synthesizes the research findings on the optimization of critical cultivation conditions (e.g., light, temperature, and nutrient composition) that modulate the growth and product synthesis of P. tricornutum. On this basis, the challenges encountered by P. tricornutum in industrial applications are proposed for further discussion, aiming to provide a reference for in-depth exploration of related research directions and facilitate the expansion of its application scope in the field of biomanufacturing. Full article

This scoping review mapped the available evidence on marine algae-derived bioactive compounds, focusing on their biological activities related to collagen stabilization, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibition, and enamel remineralization in dental hard tissues. Four electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science) were systematically searched following a predefined protocol. Original experimental studies involving human or animal dental hard tissues were included. Nine studies met the inclusion criteria. Brown algal derivatives, including fucoxanthin, fucosterol, and phloroglucinol, exhibited significant MMP inhibition and, in selected compounds, collagen cross-linking, contributing to enhanced mechanical properties and improved stability of collagen-rich matrices. In contrast, red algae extracts such as Lithothamnion calcareum primarily promoted enamel remineralization, achieving surface microhardness recovery comparable to or superior to 0.05% sodium fluoride. Alginate, a brown algae-derived polysaccharide, also demonstrated functional potential as a scaffold biomaterial through strong hydroxyapatite adsorption and suitability for three-dimensional scaffold fabrication. Overall, marine algae-derived compounds demonstrate biologically relevant activities that modulate collagen stability, enzymatic function, and mineral deposition processes. These findings highlight the pharmacological potential of marine bioactive compounds, with dental hard tissues representing a primary application context. However, further validation using clinically relevant models is required. Full article

Fucoxanthin, a marine carotenoid abundantly derived from brown algae, has been increasingly recognized for its broad-spectrum antitumor activities; however, its role in regulating ferroptosis remains insufficiently defined. Hypopharyngeal carcinoma is a highly aggressive head and neck malignancy with limited therapeutic options, highlighting the need for novel marine-derived anticancer agents. In this study, we investigated whether fucoxanthin induces ferroptosis in human hypopharyngeal carcinoma cells (Fadu) and elucidated the underlying molecular mechanisms. Transcriptome profiling combined with in vitro validation revealed that fucoxanthin markedly upregulated heme oxygenase−1 (HO−1), leading to increased intracellular Fe²⁺ levels, excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and pronounced lipid peroxide accumulation. Fucoxanthin simultaneously reduced cysteine and glutathione (GSH) levels, disrupted mitochondrial membrane potential, and triggered ferroptotic cell death, which was significantly reversed by the ferroptosis inhibitor ferrostatin−1. Mechanistically, fucoxanthin activated the p53 pathway while suppressing SLC7A11 and GPX4, thereby impairing antioxidant defenses. Pharmacological inhibition of p53 with Pifithrin−α markedly attenuated fucoxanthin-induced cytotoxicity and ferroptosis. Together, these findings identify fucoxanthin as a promising marine-derived compound capable of inducing ferroptosis via modulation of the p53/SLC7A11/GPX4 axis, providing new insights into its potential application in hypopharyngeal carcinoma therapy. Full article

Microalgae are sustainable sources of bioactive compounds with broad hepato-protective potential. This review synthesizes evidence for five major classes—carotenoids such as astaxanthin and fucoxanthin, polysaccharides such as paramylon and fucoidan, phycobiliproteins such as phycocyanin, omega-3 fatty acids, and phenolic extracts—linking their actions to key liver injury mechanisms. Preclinically, these compounds enhance antioxidant defenses, improve mitochondrial function, suppress inflammatory signaling, regulate lipid metabolism, modulate the gut–liver axis, and inhibit hepatic stellate cell activation, thereby attenuating fibrosis. Consistent benefits are observed in models of non-alcoholic and alcoholic fatty liver disease, drug-induced injury, ischemia–reperfusion, and fibrosis, with marked improvements in liver enzymes, oxidative stress, inflammation, steatosis, and collagen deposition. Emerging evidence also highlights their roles in regulating endoplasmic reticulum stress and ferroptosis. Despite their promise, translational challenges include compositional variability, a lack of standardized quality control, limited safety data, and few rigorous human trials. To address these challenges, we propose a framework integrating multi-omics and AI-assisted strain selection with specification-driven quality control and formulation-aware designs—such as lipid carriers for carotenoids or rational combinations like fucoxanthin with low-molecular-weight fucoidan. Future priorities include composition-defined randomized controlled trials in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, alcoholic liver disease, and drug-induced liver injury; harmonized material specifications; and multi-constituent interventions that synergistically target oxidative, inflammatory, metabolic, and fibrotic pathways. Full article

Melanoma, particularly the malignant type owing to its aggressive metastatic potential, is one of the most severe cancers. When detected early, the cure rate of melanoma is very promising and has a higher 5-year survival rate. However, it becomes very difficult to treat when it has spread to deeper layers of the skin and to other parts of the body. Despite the reduced mortality, the incidence of melanoma is on the rise due to exposure to various environmental factors, particularly UV radiation without protection. Naturally occurring dietary agents have been studied for their antitumor and chemopreventive potential against the development of various cancers including melanoma. The current review is aimed at compiling developments in the past ten years surrounding their preclinical and clinical relevance in the treatment and prevention of malignant melanoma. Various cellular pathways modulated by these phytochemicals are also examined to provide a comprehensive overview of their mechanisms involved in reducing tumor burden. Specifically, the review focuses on the most consumed foods across the world that are rich in such phytochemicals including curcumin, sulforaphane, resveratrol, quercetin and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and their potential against the development of melanoma. Full article

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder requiring safer and more effective therapeutic alternatives. This study investigates a novel fucoxanthin derivative isolated from the marine brown alga Chnoospora minima using a comprehensive in silico approach. Molecular docking revealed that the derivative exhibited higher binding affinities toward α-amylase (–9.4 kcal/mol) and α-glucosidase (–8.0 kcal/mol) compared to the reference drug acarbose (–8.5 and –7.4 kcal/mol, respectively). Pharmacokinetic analysis predicted good intestinal absorption and P-gp inhibition (0.894) and moderate plasma clearance (7.864 mL/min/kg), while toxicity predictions classified it in toxicity class 3, with no respiratory or ocular toxicity. Drug-likeness evaluation showed only one Lipinski and one Veber rule violation, common for natural products. Molecular dynamics simulations conducted for 100 ns using NAMD 3.0 confirmed stable protein–ligand complexes with average RMSD values of ~1.3 Å and ~1.8 Å for α-amylase and α-glucosidase, respectively, and consistent hydrogen bonding profiles. Structural analysis identified a substitution of the allene bond with an unsaturated ketone at the C8′ position as a key contributor to enhanced enzyme interaction. The findings suggest that this fucoxanthin derivative is a promising natural candidate for T2DM therapy and warrants further investigation through lab experiments (in vitro and in vivo). Full article

Astaxanthin is a high-value ketocarotenoid antioxidant, but its industrial production from Haematococcus pluvialis is constrained by multi-stage cultivation and a rigid cell wall that hinders downstream extraction. The marine diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum, which lacks these limitations, represents a promising alternative chassis because it grows fast, lacks a recalcitrant wall, and supports efficient pigment accumulation. This study establishes a functional ketocarotenoid biosynthetic branch in P. tricornutum through rational metabolic engineering. To address challenges in protein targeting posed by the host’s complex plastid architecture, we performed heterologous expression of the Chlamydomonas reinhardtii β-carotene ketolase (CrBKT), fused at its N-terminus to bipartite transit peptides derived from two endogenous proteins. Western blotting and UPLC-MS/MS analysis confirmed that only the transit peptide fused constructs produced stable protein and functional activity, whereas the native CrBKT failed. The rationally engineered strain successfully accumulated ~45 µg/g DCW of canthaxanthin and ~15 µg/g DCW of astaxanthin. Metabolomic profiling revealed a 50% reduction in fucoxanthin, indicating a substantial redirection of metabolic flux from the native pathway toward the engineered ketocarotenoid branch. This work establishes P. tricornutum as a viable platform for ketocarotenoid production and highlights the critical role of evolution-aware plastid targeting in heterologous pathway reconstruction within complex algal systems. Full article

The extraction of antioxidant compounds from brown macroalgae is of growing industrial interest; however, the weak correlation often observed between polyphenol content and antioxidant activity challenges the conventional strategy of optimizing only extraction yield. This study introduces, for the first time in brown macroalgae, a functionality-driven optimization approach in which ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) conditions are optimized based on antioxidant activity as the primary response variable, rather than compound concentration. A green UAE process was developed and optimized for four edible brown algae (Himanthalia elongata, Eisenia bicyclis, Sargassum fusiforme, and Laminaria ochroleuca), considering algae amount, solvent type and concentration, extraction time, ultrasound power, and temperature. The optimized extracts achieved 69.17–94.68% DPPH inhibition, together with high antioxidant capacity supported by ORAC (18.63–491.30 μmol TE g⁻¹ DW) and FRAP (1.24–87.65 µmol Fe⁺² g⁻¹ DW) values, identifying E. bicyclis and H. elongata as the most promising species. Chromatographic analyses confirmed the presence of phlorotannins and carotenoid pigments such as fucoxanthin as the main contributors to antioxidant activity. Overall, this work validates a functionality-driven UAE optimization strategy for efficiently maximizing antioxidant activity in brown algal extracts. Full article

Background: Obesity is increasingly recognized as a metabolic disorder driven by gut microbiota dysbiosis and chronic low-grade inflammation within adipose tissue. Emerging evidence highlights the gut–adipose tissue axis as a critical mediator of energy balance and metabolic regulation. Marine algae—rich in polysaccharides, polyphenols, and carotenoids—offer bioactive compounds that modulate gut microbial composition and generate beneficial metabolites termed “postbiotics.” Objective: This review aims to comprehensively summarize current advances in understanding how marine-algal-derived postbiotics influence the gut microbiota–adipose tissue axis and contribute to obesity prevention and management. Methods: A structured literature search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and SpringerLink for studies published between 2015 and October 2025. Eligible studies included in vitro, in vivo, and human trials examining the effects of marine-algal compounds on gut microbiota composition, short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production, adipose inflammation, and metabolic outcomes. Results: Marine-algal polysaccharides (fucoidan, alginate, laminarin, carrageenan, and ulvan) act as fermentable fibers that enhance SCFA production and enrich beneficial taxa such as Akkermansia, Lactobacillus, and Bacteroides, while reducing endotoxin-producing bacteria. Polyphenols and carotenoids (fucoxanthin, phlorotannins, astaxanthin) directly target adipogenesis, oxidative stress, and adipose browning. Animal studies consistently demonstrate reduced body weight, improved insulin sensitivity, and decreased inflammation following algae supplementation. Human trials—though limited—confirm safety and show microbiota modulation with modest weight loss. Conclusions: Marine-algal-derived postbiotics represent a promising, natural, and sustainable strategy to target the gut microbiota–adipose tissue axis in obesity. They offer multi-targeted mechanisms through microbial and host pathways, supporting their integration into functional food and nutraceutical development. Further clinical research and regulatory standardization are warranted to translate these findings into evidence-based interventions. Full article

Huiro negro (Lessonia spicata) is a brown alga with potential in the food, nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical industries. This study evaluated its convection drying at 30, 40, and 50 °C (2 ± 0.1 m/s; 83% RH), analyzing the kinetics using nine mathematical models. The Midilli–Kucuk model showed the best fit (R² = 0.999). Drying at 50 °C significantly increased the fucoxanthin content (p ≤ 0.05) but had the highest energy cost (7.20 USD/kg). In contrast, 30 °C achieved the highest thermal efficiency (48.73%) and lowest cost (5.37 USD/kg), although with the lowest total phenolic compound (TPC) content. TPC was highest at 40 °C, while antioxidant capacity decreased to 30 °C and 40 °C, partially recovering at 50 °C. Higher temperatures also increased protein, fiber, and carbohydrates, while ash decreased. Tests on gastric cell lines (AGS and GES-1) showed low cytotoxicity at doses ≤ 1 mg/mL, with reductions in viability at concentrations ≥ 10 mg/mL. Overall, the extracts showed good biocompatibility at low doses and outstanding functional properties, especially after drying at 50 °C. The results show that the drying temperature significantly influences the nutritional and functional quality of L. spicata, favoring its use in functional foods. Full article

Although AI-mediated approaches provide promising support for bioengineering using training datasets, their application in microalgal research remains limited. In this study, ChatGPT-4.0, an easily accessible AI model, was employed to optimize culture conditions and evaluate the industrial potential of the isolated diatom Gedaniella flavovirens. Culture optimization was conducted using response surface methodology, in which pH, temperature, and salinity were selected as independent variables. ChatGPT assisted in determining the design and suggested a face-centered central composite design. The optimal conditions for biomass production were determined to be pH 8.30, 23 °C, and 34.24 psu. Analysis of variance revealed significant quadratic effects (p < 0.05), indicating curvature in the response surface. Fatty acid profiling showed high levels of palmitoleic acid, palmitic acid, and eicosapentaenoic acid. Pigment analysis further indicated a high abundance of fucoxanthin, diadinoxanthin, and diatoxanthin. Based on the analyzed compounds, ChatGPT suggested potential applications of the algal strain across various industrial sectors. The most relevant application was identified as aquafeed, as the strain contains metabolites known to enhance pigmentation, growth, and immune responses in aquaculture species. Overall, this study demonstrates ChatGPT-mediated bioengineering as a practical strategy for optimizing culture conditions and evaluating the industrial potential of novel microalgal strains. Full article