The main source of n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) in human nutrition is currently seafood, especially oily fish. Nonetheless, due to cultural or individual preferences, convenience, geographic location, or awareness of risks associated to fatty fish consumption, the intake of fatty fish is far from supplying the recommended dietary levels. The end result observed in most western countries is not only a low supply of n-3 LC-PUFA, but also an unbalance towards the intake of n-6 fatty acids, resulting mostly from the consumption of vegetable oils. Awareness of the benefits of LC-PUFA in human health has led to the use of fish oils as food supplements. However, there is a need to explore alternatives sources of LC-PUFA, especially those of microbial origin. Microalgae species with potential to accumulate lipids in high amounts and to present elevated levels of n-3 LC-PUFA are known in marine phytoplankton. This review focuses on sources of n-3 LC-PUFA, namely eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids, in marine microalgae, as alternatives to fish oils. Based on current literature, examples of marketed products and potentially new species for commercial exploitation are presented.

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BackgroundXanthones are a group of oxygen-containing heterocyclic compounds with remarkable pharmacological effects such as anti-cancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activities.MethodsA xanthones extract (81% α-mangostin and 16% γ-mangostin), was prepared by crystallization of a toluene extract of G. mangostana fruit rinds and was analyzed by LC-MS. Anti-colon cancer effect was investigated on HCT 116 human colorectal carcinoma cells including cytotoxicity, apoptosis, anti-tumorigenicity, and effect on cell signalling pathways. The in vivo anti-colon cancer activity was also investigated on subcutaneous tumors established in nude mice.ResultsThe extract showed potent cytotoxicity (median inhibitory concentration 6.5 ± 1.0 μg/ml), due to induction of the mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis. Three key steps in tumor metastasis including the cell migration, cell invasion and clonogenicity, were also inhibited. The extract and α-mangostin up-regulate the MAPK/ERK, c-Myc/Max, and p53 cell signalling pathways. The xanthones extract, when fed to nude mice, caused significant growth inhibition of the subcutaneous tumor of HCT 116 colorectal carcinoma cells.ConclusionsOur data suggest new mechanisms of action of α-mangostin and the G. mangostana xanthones, and suggest the xanthones extract of as a potential anti-colon cancer candidate.

A simple microwave-assisted (MWI) wet chemical route to synthesize pure anatase phase titanium dioxide (TiO 2) nanoparticles (NPs) is reported here using titanium tetrachloride (TiCl 4) as starting material. The as-prepared TiO 2 NPs were characterized by electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, UV/visible absorption spectroscopy, and infrared and Raman spectroscopic techniques. Further modification of the anatase TiO 2 NPs was carried out by incorporating plasmonic silver (Ag) NPs and graphene oxide (GO) in order to enhance the visible light absorption. The photocatalytic activities of the anatase TiO 2 , Ag/TiO 2 , and Ag/TiO 2 /GO nanocomposites were evaluated under both ultraviolet (UV) and visible light irradiation using phenol as a model contaminant. The presence of Ag NPs was found to play a significant role to define the photocatalytic activity of the Ag/TiO 2 /GO nanocomposite. It was found that the Ag performed like a sink under UV excitation and stored photo-generated electrons from TiO 2 , whereas, under visible light excitation, the Ag acted as a photosensitizer enhancing the photocatalytic activity of the nanocomposite. The detailed mechanism was studied based on photocatalytic activities of Ag/TiO 2 /GO nanocomposites. Therefore, the as-prepared Ag/TiO 2 /GO nanocomposite was used as photocatalytic materials under both UV and visible light irradiation toward degradation of organic molecules.