Biologically Active Compounds in Seaweed Extracts - the Prospects for the Application

Abstract

The paper covers the latest developments in research on the utilitarian properties of algal extracts. Their application as the components of pharmaceuticals, feeds for animals and fertilizers was discussed. The classes of various biologically active compounds were characterized in terms of their role and the mechanism of action in an organism of human, animal and plant. Recently, many papers have been published which discuss the methods of manufacture and the composition of algal extracts. The general conclusion is that the composition of extracts strongly depends on the raw material (geographical location of harvested algae and algal species) as well as on the extraction method. The biologically active compounds which are transferred from the biomass of algae to the liquid phase include polysaccharides, proteins, polyunsaturated fatty acids, pigments, polyphenols, minerals, plant growth hormones and other. They have well documented beneficial effect on humans, animals and plants, mainly by protection of an organism from biotic and abiotic stress (antibacterial activity, scavenging of free radicals, host defense activity etc.) and can be valuable components of pharmaceuticals, feed additives and fertilizers.

Bioactive Compounds of Seaweed Padina australis and Eucheuma cottonii as Sunscreen Raw Materials

“…Florotanin dapat menangkap radikal bebas yang disebabkan oleh radiasi sinar UV (Henry & Alystyne 2004;Chojnacka et al 2012). Rumput laut coklat juga diketahui mengandung senyawa flavonoid.…”

Antibacterial and antioxidant activities of differential solvent extractions from the green seaweed Ulva intestinalis

“…Some of these compounds have medical applications since they contain antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities [1][2][3][4] . Because green seaweeds have relatively low toxicity and high bioactivities 5 , they can be used as foods, and their extracts as fertilizers and pharmaceuticals 1 . Reactive oxygen species (ROS), formed as natural byproducts of oxygen metabolism, have important roles in cell signalling and homoeostasis.…”

Untitled

“…Generally in this plant growth hormones extracted from seaweeds it can increase the crop productivity in commercial world. An additional role of this plant regulator is to enhance chlorophyll content in leaves by decreasing its degradation 54 . 55 .…”